Koto & Shamisen Performance and Workshop by Masayo Ishigure at Great Neck Library

We invite people of all ages to come to a captivating experience of traditional Japanese music, accompanied by dance, tea ceremony, kimono culture, and time-honored crafts. Through these rich cultural elements, you will feel as if you are journeying through Japan itself. At the finale of the performance, guests are invited to join in the music, creating a memorable moment of unity throughout the venue. A Q&A session and hands-on workshop are also included to deepen your understanding of Japanese culture. Immerse yourself in the beauty, spirit, and living traditions of Japan this Lunar New Year.

Masayo Ishigure is a Koto and Shamisen player based in New York. She began playing the koto and jiuta shamisen at the age of five in Gifu, Japan, and has built an extensive, multi-faceted career that continues to push the koto’s limits while maintaining a strong grasp of the tradition. After initial studies with Tadao and Kazue Sawai, Masayo became a special research student at the Sawai Koto Academy of Music in 1986. The academy draws on influences from classical to jazz and aims to change the perception of the koto from a traditional Japanese instrument to one of universal expressiveness. Learn more about Masayo at masayoishigure.com

This program will take place at the Great Neck Library, located at 159 Bayview Avenue, Great Neck, on Sunday, October 4, at 2:00 p.m. Registration is required. Great Neck cardholders and residents can register online, in person, or via phone. Non-residents are welcome as walk-ins, subject to space availability. For more information, please call Great Neck Library at (516) 466-8055 or email adultprogramming@greatnecklibrary.org.