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Kitamura Keiko

Kitamura Keiko
Koto & Shamisen

Kitamura Keiko was born in an area of Hiroshima prefecture known for producing Japanese traditional instruments. Her early years were spent studying Koto and Shamisen in Fukuyama under the tutelage of her aunt Kitamura Kyoko who is an Ikuta-ryû master of the famous Miyagi-ryû. Keiko achieved the status of Ikuta-ryû Master herself in 2001.

Keiko has performed all over Japan and around the world, including at the Sydney Opera House, London’s Excel Motor Show, British Museum, Royal Opera House, UK Japanese Embassy, Standon Calling Festival and Dublin’s 2010 Festival Of World Cultures. She has been living in the UK for a number of years now and has performed live with Jah Wobble’s Nippon Dub Ensemble, an Anglo-Japanese crossover project.

Formerly a leading member of the Japanese Music Society based at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Study) University of London and still a member of Hibiki Ensemble that promotes sankyoku music through various concerts and workshops across the UK, Keiko has also been composing her own pieces and has been awarded a prize at MIYAGI Michio Memorial Competition in 2014. Keiko is a member of SO-DO Academy of Music, which was established and headed by koto maestro SUNAZAKI Tomoko.

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