Masayuki Koga
shakuhachi

A master shakuhachi artist, Masayuki Koga is considered one of the finest players in the world. In 1967 while he was a member of Ongaku Shudan in Tokyo his performance and recording of the group received the highest Prize of the Arts Festival by the Educational Ministry of Japan. In 2001, he was recognized and honored the Award from the California Arts Council for his contribution, leadership, and sacrifice for the youth, the next generation of artists, and all citizens of the state of California. He studied Kinko School Shakuhachi with is father, Kiichi Koga, and Tozan School with master Kazan Sakai in Tokyo where he received his master-teacher degree with highest honors.

Currently he is the Artistic Director of Essence and General director of the Japanese Music Institute of America.

Michiyo Koga
koto

The virtuoso Koto artist and composer, Michiyo Koga has performed and recorded many times in Japan, Germany and the United States. She has worked with many artists and ensembles, including serving as accompanist to Isaac Stern while he was recording in Japan.

Michiyo Koga has been playing Koto since childhood, having first performed in Tokyo at the age of 2. She has received formal instructions in piano since she was 5, as well as voice since the age of 15.

In 1970, she received her Ikuta Style Koto Teacher's license. Also in 1977 she graduated from both the NHK Japanese Traditional Academy of Music and Senzoku Gakuen University of Music in Tokyo.

Currently she is the Artistic Director and principal Koto instructor of the Japanese Music Institute of America.

Kenny Endo
taiko

Synthesizing traditional Japanese drumming, world rhythms, and improvisation, taiko artist Kenny Endo is one of the leading forces in contemporary taiko performance. He holds the distinction of being the first non-Japanese national to receive a Stage Name (Mochizuki Tajiro). He has traveled to Russia, Egypt, Canada, Europe, and throughout Japan and the U.S. performing. He established the Taiko Center of the Pacific in Honolulu in 1994. He is also the Artistic Director of the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble.

Hiroyuki Jimi Nakagawa
taiko

The taiko master artist, Hiroyuki Jimi Nakagawa arrived in the United States in 1981. He spent seven years studying jazz and performing with local bands before joining the San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1987, directed by Grand master Seiichi Tanaka. In 1998 he returned to Japan to continue his study of taiko and performed with Sukeroku Daiko Hozonkai and master Kenjiro Maru of the Wakayama style festival music. He also has studied with the celebrated jazz drummer Robert Kaufman, former Professor at the Berklee College of Music. Hiroyuki's refined but driving stick work has been featured in film, video, and on stage. He has collaborated with many other well-known artists. He is currently performing with and is an original member of Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble.