Biography
Saeko Kujiraoka began studying the Ikuta technique of Koto playing in Tokyo, Japan. She received an advanced degree in Koto, Sangen, and classical singing from the Michio Miyagi School of Koto in Japan.
In the US, she joined the Koto String Society as a member of the staff, and founded the “Koto Eda Group”. She teaches private Koto lessons in the Los Angeles area and performs at the colleges, museums and various receptions.
She is proactively involved in various collaborations. She has formed Harp & Koto Duo “Harp & Koto Stories” with Miriam Suzuki, played with Grammy Award Winner Koto player Yukiko Matsuyama, “Yerak ensemble” (cross cultures jazz group), “Japan America Chamber Ensemble”, jazz & Bossa Nova groups. She has been involved in movie sound track recordings. (Kang Fu Panda, etc.)
Saeko reveals new perspectives on the sound of Koto through her arrangement of pop and jazz standard like songs of Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Chick Corea. She will continue her performance activities so that many may enjoy her traditional Japanese instrument, Koto.