We are pleased to announce that Masayo Ishigure, a koto player, will give a lecture and play koto at Setsugekka, whose theme is “箏 Koto.” 

Masayo Ishigure began playing the koto and jiuta shamisen at the age of five in Gifu, Japan. After initial studies with Tadao and Kazue Sawai, Masayo became a special research student in 1986 at the Sawai Koto Academy of Music -The academy incorporates many influences from classical to jazz and aims to change the perception of the koto from solely as a traditional Japanese instrument to an instrument of universal expressiveness.

Ms. Ishigure moved to New York City in 1992 and has performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall-Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Hall and other venues in the New York City metropolitan area.  She was a guest artist with the San Diego Symphony, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

Masayo Ishigure has appeared in concerts for music festivals in Japan, Thailand, Brazil, Holland, France, Germany, Mexico, Russia, Jamaica, Hawaii south korea and Alaska.  Masayo Ishigure also accompanied several performances by New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Mr.Peter Boal.

She has been featured in multiple television broadcasts some of which included music for CBS Master Works used during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. She has also recorded koto music for use in several television commercials.

Masayo Ishigure has taught koto and shamisen at Columbia University since 2010 and offers private lessons in New York City, New Jersey, Long Island and Washington, D.C.

Web site

http://www.masayoishigure.com

CD 

“Grace” koto .shakuhachi

East Winds Ensemble

Hayao Miyazaki  koto.shakuhachi