Music

Tarobei & flower” Music & Art Exhibition

organized by the Japan Foundation, Bangkok

Charity Concert for The Great East Japan Earthquake / The Great Flood in Thailand

It has been a year since the massive earthquake, but a lot of people are still suffering. Many are still in the public shelters, not being able to resume their lives. Similar in Thailand, many flood victims are have lost their homes and in dire need for helps and supports. We would like to lend our helping hands and give the Earthquake and Flood victims more strength to overcome their hardships.

All the proceeds and any other money raised from this concert will be donated to the victims in Japan and Thailand through The Embassy of Japan in Thailand.

Story:
Tarobei, a dull office worker, is waiting for a train to go home. For some reason , he boards on a wrong train. There is no one but Tarobei in the train and before long he falls to sleep.

Performers:
Kyoko Abe graduated from Kyushu Designer School in 1987. In 1990 she became a freelance independent illustrator and was involved in a large number of projects. Kyoko married and move to Thailand in 1996; the following year, she was awarded the Kodansha Grand Prize in the Picture Book category for "Ohisama". In 1999, she held an exhibition at the Japan Foundation of illustrations for the Thai version of poems by the famous poet Kenji Miyazawa, published by Daido Life Insurance Company. Kyoko also held solo exhibitions at the Akko Art Gallery such as "Springing Surprises" (1998), "Being Myself" (2001), "Can't Stop Painting" (2004), and "Here Comes the Dog" (2006). In 2007, one of her illustrations was used for the poster to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of Japan-Thailand Diplomatic Relations; at the same time she held her fifth solo exhibition "The Country that I Love Thailand" at the Japan Foundation, Bangkok Art Gallery. Kyoko held her sixth solo exhibition, "The Place I am" at Gallery Oishi in Fukuoka in September 2009. In 2010, she exhibited her work in the "20/20"; special exhibition for the Akko Art Gallery's 20-year anniversary which held at several places in Bangkok such as Bangkok Art & Culture Center. She also produced events and workshops in major shopping malls such as Isetan, Siam Paragon, and The Mall. Currently, Kyoko's 5th solo exhibition, "Let's Go Far Away", was held at the Akko Art Gallery in March 2012.

Yayoi Morita graduated from the Department of Art and Music at Tokai University, where she majored in vocal music. She made her debut at the Yomiuri Concert of New Artists, and also performed in JOPA's North European Tour. Since 1993, Yayoi has made her home in Thailand, where she has been teaching vocal music and piano at her own studio, Lily Music, in Bangkok. She has also directed Japanese Women's Chorus since 2003. Yayoi has made various appearances in Bangkok, including her solo performances at cultural festivals and the chorus concerts. She most recently performed a solo soprano recital at the Sukhotai Hotel Bangkok, and appeared in the House Concert "Voice", which was held by The Japan Foundation, Bangkok. In May 2011, she organized a solo recital in Tokyo. Yayoi is an accredited master of the Fujima School of Japanese traditional dance.

Noriko Tsuboi began studying koto at age eight, concentrating on traditional Japanese music. She was awarded a Lecturer's Certificate by the Sawai Academy of Music in 1987, and entered this academy as a Special Research Student. She also completed the NHK (The National Television Broadcasting Network) Traditional Music Program and two-year Intensive Seminar at Sawai Academy of Music. In 1992, Noriko was invited to teach at the University of California, San Diego as a koto instructor, where she also directed a student koto ensemble and held concerts in the California area. Noriko has resided in Bangkok since 2001. In 2005, she invited koto and shakuhachi players from Japan and USA to have concerts in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, which was organized by the Japan Foundation, Bangkok. She also worked on organizing concerts of "Sawai Koto Orchestra Asia Tour"; supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan, and performed in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and New Delhi in 2007. Noriko is also a member of Lantana Koto Group and performs contemporary music in San Francisco bay area in every year. Currently, she teaches koto in Bangkok, and continues to pursue intriguing musical possibilities in many countries.

Junta Arakawa began playing the piano at the age of four under the YAMAHA Music School in Japan, and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance (and Business minor) from St. Norbert College, USA in 2003. While still studying with Elaine Moss, in 2002, he won the 2nd prize from both Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and Lakeshore Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition. He enrolled in Wichita State University as GTA (Graduate Teaching Assistant) with a full-scholarship, studied with Paul Reed, and received his Master's Degree in Piano Performance in 2006. Junta moved to Thailand, and became a full-time teacher at School of Music, Assumption University in 2006. He has performed for three joint concerts: Classic Concert for IFCU, Mozart Concert for 250 Anniversary of his birth, and Musica Grandioso Concerts (2010, 2011, 2012). In 2008, his successful solo concerts (at Assumption University and YAMAHA Siam Discovery Center) led him to be the guest pianist for the DHC promotion event at Siam Paragon. In 2009, he was invited as an accompanist for Art Exhibition organized by Kyoko Abe, Yayoi Morita, and Noriko Tsuboi at Siam Society Under Royal Patronage. In 2010, Junta accompanied Yayoi Morita for the joint concert at Goethe Institute and performed for Halloween Concert as arranger/pianist with Kyoko Abe, Yayoi Morita, Noriko Tsuboi, and Apichai Leamthong. In 2011, he joined More Heartful Concert in aid of Japan Earthquake Disaster organized by Musica Grandioso at Ginza Yamaha Hall, Tokyo. In 2012, He performed with Yayoi Morita for Salon Concert at Sala Kamiyoshi.

Guest Performer:
Futoshi Hashimoto
ACTING INSTITUTE:
Actors Studio Institute (N.Y.)1996-1997
Guildhall School of Drama (London) 2000-2001
FILM:
"Mountain of Marks" (Japan) 1995 – Directed by Yoichi Sai
"Bloody Snake Under the Sun" (Japan) 2008 – Directed By Yasutomo Nakai
"Oba Last Samurai Saipan" (Japan) 2011 – Directed By Hideyuki Hirayama
STAGE:
"Dog Day Afternoon" (Japan) 1996 Directed By Yoko Narahashi
"A Dream Within Dream" (Thai) 2011 Directed By Syogo Tanikawa
TVCM (Thai)2011
"Noble Condominium Ploenchit"
"Suntory Mirai Green Tea"
"Oishi Gyoza"
"Wanchai Ferry Noodle"

Contact :
TSUBOI 083-833-9988
OKAMOTO 081-732-5449