Biography
My background…
I lived in Japan from 1984 thru 1994 studying shakuhachi under Koyama Seizan, a renowned Tozan master living in Kyoto. Upon returning to Los Angeles I then began teaching shakuhachi in the ethnomusicology department at UCLA (1995-2001) and then from 2005-2011 I frequently returned to Japan to continue my study of classical honkyoku with Fukushima Jyosui, a master of Myoan shakuhachi and the current head of the Myoan Suizen Kai (blowing meditation group) at the Myoan temple in Kyoto.
Currently…
I am a Japan member, and licensed teacher, of both the Tozan Ryu Shakuhachi Guild and the Myoan Shakuhachi Society. I hold a Daishihan (grandmaster) certificate from Tozan Ryu and a Doushu (headmaster) designation from Myoan shakuhachi.
In addition to my private teaching I regularly lecture at UCLA and the Claremont Colleges about Japanese traditional music and culture. I periodically perform solo or with an ensemble and also do soundtrack recording work for feature films, including Snow Falling on Cedars and The Last Samurai.
For further information or questions feel free to contact me by email