Born October 4, 1948 to Yuriko and social worker Charles Kikuchi, Ms. Kikuchi was immediately immersed in the dance world by her mother, studying at the Alvin Ailey school, and with the Martha Graham company, of which her mother was a key member. Ms. Kikuchi grew up in the company, and she served as a key source of information on Graham's choreography, staging acclaimed productions throughout the country.