Elton John ballet principal dancer, Yukichi Hattori, leaves Alberta Ballet

The dancer who has playedElton John in Love Lies Bleeding for the last six years is taking off his outrageous glasses and hanging up his sparkly leotards.

Yukichi Hattori is retiring from the roleand as a principal dancer with Alberta Balletto open his own ballet studio in Calgary.

He's collaborating with several other dancers in the company, including his wifeGailen Johnson.

"We'll teach ballet, ballet fitness, adult ballet class, movement, coaching things like that," Hattori told the Calgary Eyeopener on Thursday.

Though he's been with the company for a decade, Hattori isn't feelingnostalgic.

"Actually, I am way too excited about the new beginnings, I don't have time to think about that," he said.

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"I will definitely miss all my colleagues But in a way, I will be closer to the community now that I will actually be integrated."

He still wants to perform and choreograph

While Hattori will dancethe lead role in Love Lies Bleeding for the last time this week and next, the 35-year-old isn't exactly hanging up his ballet slippers.

"Performing? You know, I'm waiting for offers, if anyone is interested," Hattori said with a chuckle.

He said he's "in conversation" withseveral arts organizationsthroughout Alberta and hoping to choreograph a lot more in styles beyondballet.

"Dance has nothing to do with style or what you're capable of. Because dance is movement chained together. And that can be walking, heartbeat, tap of the finger it's all dance."

The Elton John ballet runs from May 5 to 7 at the Southern Jubilee Auditorium inCalgary and May 13 and 14 at the Northern Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton.

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener