معرفی
Mitsuki Dazai serves as an Instructor in Reed College's Department of Music while maintaining an active international performance career. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Oregon Koto-Kai, a professional ensemble established in 2012 dedicated to Japanese zither music.
Her academic training includes:
- Bachelor of Arts from Kunitachi College of Music (Tokyo)
- Instructor's Certification from Sawai Koto Institute under virtuoso Kazue Sawai
Dazai's artistic practice bridges traditional Japanese repertoire and cross-genre innovation. Based in Oregon since 2002, she performs regularly at the Portland Japanese Garden and has toured extensively across five continents. Her collaborations with diverse musicians expand koto's expressive possibilities while maintaining cultural authenticity. As an educator, she has provided private instruction since 2003, emphasizing both technical mastery and cultural context.
Student mentorship occurs through private lessons, ensemble participation in Oregon Koto-Kai, and Reed College coursework. Her teaching integrates historical performance practice with contemporary techniques developed through her global collaborations. No research grants are publicly documented as her work centers on performance rather than scientific research.
The Oregon Koto-Kai functions as her primary artistic vehicle, presenting traditional compositions alongside experimental works that incorporate electronic elements and interdisciplinary collaborations. The ensemble serves as both performance platform and training ground for emerging koto musicians.
