Mina Nishimura, dancer/choreographer was born in Tokyo, Japan and move to NYC in 2001.  She graduated from Ochanomizu University with a BA in Performing Arts in Tokyo and has also studied at the Merce Cunningham Studio under scholarship where she received a certificate in 2005. Mina has danced for RoseAnne Spradlin, DD Dorllivier, David Gordon, Satoshi Haga, Chantal Yzermans/Radical Law (Bergium), Magnetic Laboratorium, and John Moran.  In addition, she has also been dancing and assisting choreographer, KotaYamazaki, in his dance company Fluid hug-hug since 2002.   In 2003-2004, she held three residencies in Senegal to work as an assistant choreographer for the creation of FAGAALA choreographed for the Senegal-based company Jant-bi. Her own choreography has been seen at Joyce Soho, Cunningham Studio, Danspace Project, and Movement Research at the Judson Church.  Most recently, Mina was awarded a creative residency at Dance Theater Workshop (DTW) from Fall of 2006 through Spring of 2007 and her work Tuna was presented as part of the DTW Studio Series in May, 2007.

Sensei Melody Takata is a taiko artist (Japanese drumming) and dancer/choreographer trained in classical Japanese dance.  In her 20+ year career she has engaged in the interpretation of traditional pieces as well as created new works in the tradition.  She has further explored the role of innovation as a means to advance the tradition as living culture, experimenting both with interdisciplinary integration of traditional art disciplines (taiko, folk dance, folk music, ozashiki music, classical dance) as well as the use of contemporary forms such as modern dance, spoken word and improvised music.   www.gentaiko.com

Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese flutes) Originally from St. Louis, MO, Kaoru graduated from the Manhattan School of Music as a jazz flute major in ‘97. He then moved to Japan to join the acclaimed Japanese drum (taiko) ensemble KODO, where he spent 9 years as a performer- specializing in the various Japanese flutes (Shinobue, Noh Kan, and Ryuteki) and artistic director. He left Kodo in ‘06 and returned to New York to further explore music informed by Noh, Kabuki, Gagaku and Japanese folk songs as well as jazz, classical music and free improvisation. Kaoru has performed with, among others Bando Tamasaburo, Jason Moran, Stefon Harris, and has acted as artistic director of Japan’s oldest world music festival, Earth Celebration- where he worked in collaboration with Zakir Hussain, Giovanni Hildago, Tamango, Yosuke Yamashita and calligrapher Koji Kakinuma. In order to be able to share the knowledge and experience from his time spent in Japan and from a lifetime of playing music, Kaoru also teaches and gives workshops in shinobue and taiko drums. www.watanabekaoru.com