We are proud to present – Duo YUMENO, LIVE from the Ambassador’s Residence! Duo YUMENO performed at the Ambassador’s residence in New York City on November 20th. The performance was livestreamed to the Consulate General of Japan in New York’s Official Facebook page.
For future livestreams check out @JapanConsNY on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JapanConsNY
Duo URL: https://DuoYUMENO.com
Duo Facebook: https://Facebook.com/DuoYUMENO
Kimura URL: https://YokoReikanoKimura.com
Tamaki URL: https://HikaruCello.com
Duo YUMENO is comprised of New York based koto and shamisen player Yoko Reikano Kimura and cellist Hikaru Tamaki create a singular fusion of sound, inspired by tradition but with a contemporary sensibility, exploring the dialogue between classical Japanese and western music. Their activities have been featured in the media such as the New York Times, Chamber Music America Magazine, the Japan Times, Hōgaku Journal and NPR. The duo has been performing regularly in Japan and the US. Their international performances include Turkey, Trinidad, UK, and Columbia. In 2014, they were awarded the Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Program grant, and in 2015, received the Aoyama Music Award・Barocksaal Prize. The duo was featured at the 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC and performed at the John F Kennedy Center. In 2019, the duo performed at Carnegie Hall to celebrate its tenth anniversary.
Kimura graduated from Tokyo University of Arts and was awarded a scholarship from the Agency of Culture Affairs of Japan. Awards include the First prize at the prestigious 10th Kenjun Memorial National Koto Competition. As a koto/shamisen soloist, she has performed with numerous string quartets, chamber ensembles and chamber orchestras.
Following his studies at Eastman School of Music, Rice University and Northwestern University, Tamaki served as the principal cellist of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and has given numerous performances of major concertos with the orchestra. He currently serves as the principal cellist of the Berkshire Opera Festival Orchestra and is a member of the Albany Symphony.