Gabrielle Nomura Gainor

Gabrielle Kazuko Nomura Gainor is a Japanese-Filipina American dance artist, activist, and storyteller. Classically trained in ballet, Gabrielle studied dance and journalism in college—later getting involved in racial justice work and activism in Seattle. Today, Gabrielle leads Tsuru Ko, an intergenerational troupe of Asian American dancers. Gabrielle is also the Director of Communications for Plymouth Housing–an organization that aims to end homelessness and address its causes.

Previously, Gabrielle’s communications work at Seattle Opera helped spark greater conversations about racial equity in the opera industry. Gabrielle organized panel discussions and led a public engagement strategy for Seattle Opera’s “Madame Butterfly” that was praised as a “helpful model” for addressing racist, historic works in The New York Times. Born and raised on Duwamish land, Gabrielle grew up listening to KUOW riding in their grandfather’s truck to-and-from school. A graduate of Western Washington University’s Journalism and Dance programs in 2010, Gabrielle was honored as a WWU Distinguished Alumna in 2022.