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Highlights from last year’s Fall Concert
Fall Concert Announcement
This year will be the 15th anniversary of Oregon Koto-Kai. I have been thinking about the program since the beginning of this year but in February, my mentor Kazue Sawai passed away. This led me to create a program centered on pieces that honor her legacy and vision; the repertoire has nearly been finalized, and players have started to prepare. We are committed to giving our all this year and hope to create another memorable stage performance as well as featuring works by an outstanding artist. The details of "Oregon Koto-Kai 15th Anniversary Fall Concert: In Memory of Kazue Sawai” will be shared at the end of this month, so for now, please save the date: November 1st!
- Mitsuki Dazai
Instructor and Artistic Director of Oregon Koto-Kai
Player Spotlight: Rocco
Rocco first discovered the sounds of koto while working at Portland Japanese Garden in 2022. After falling in love with the sounds of the instrument, he began studying with Mitsuki Sensei in February 2024. Learn more about his journey learning the koto.
About Oregon Koto-Kai
Oregon Koto-Kai is a group of musicians passionate about playing the Japanese koto. Founded by Mitsuki Dazai in February 2012 with only six members, the ensemble held its first concert that fall at Epworth United Methodist Church in Portland, Oregon. Since that time, the group has grown to 20 members, and they are featured artists at many festivals and venues throughout the Pacific Northwest each year.
Debut Album Kin Out Now
We're proud to announce that on June 9th we released our first album, Kin, both digitally and on CD! This project started over two years ago and we’re happy to finally share it with the world.
The incredible album art was created by Kayo Kondo-Cox and the beautiful 'Kin' calligraphy was done by Nobuko Chalfen. Kin is the 13th and highest string on a standard koto and because we're releasing this album during our 13th year as an organization, it also symbolizes our progress up to this point. We look forward to sharing koto music and Japanese culture with our community for many more years to come.
Digital and physical copies are now available on Bandcamp, or you can pick up your CD in person at select OKK performances.
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