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Licensed Shakuhachi Teacher

Bill Shozan Schultz

About Shakuhachi Teaching

Licensed Shakuachi TeacherTypically I teach at my home studio on the west side of Los Angeles five days a week, Tuesday thru Saturday. Individual one hour lessons are one on one and by appointment only. I teach beginners through advanced players who are interested in and want to focus on classical honkyoku or sankyoku. Throughout the year I also host and arrange for selected individual teachers to hold weekend teaching workshops for my students and other interested shakuhachi enthusiasts from surrounding communities. I have been hosting these special guests for over ten years now and regulars include Kaoru Kakizakai from Japan and Riley Lee from Australia. I also offer some of my students a chance to play with koto players by arranging 1 day workshops where a preselected piece, either a classical ensemble piece or a koto & shakuhachi duet piece, is the subject for the day. These koto workshops are always limited to 3 or 4 shakuhachi students.

Studying The Art of Shakuhachi

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 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 Meian 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 Kaiden and Doushu (complete transmission and headmaster) certificates from Myoan shakuhachi.

In addition to my private teaching I regularly lecture at UCLA and the Claremont Colleges about Japanese 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.

Kakizakai Kaoru master teacher of KSK

Kakizakai Kaoru | Licensed Shakuachi Teacher

  • 2024
    • Concert in Japan Garden in Seattle.
    • Concert in JACCC in LA little Tokyo.
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies in LA,USA.
  • 2023
    • Concert in Zenshuji in LA little Tokyo.
    • Concert in Edinburgh.
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado,USA.
    • Lunch time lecture in Pomona collage in LA.
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
    • Performed “November Steps” with Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in Shanghai conducted by Long Yu, Biwa Akiko Kubota
  • 2019
    • Concerts,workshops in Brisbane in January.
    • Workshops in Beijin Shanghai and Taipei in April.
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado,USA.
    • Workshop in Beijin in July.
  • 2018
    • Performer/Instructor at the 8th Australian Shakuhachi Festival,Melbourne,Australia.
    • Concerts,workshops in Taipei and Shanghai in April.
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado,USA.
    • Performer/Instructor at the 7th International Shakuhachi Festival in London.
    • Performed Toru Takemitsu’s “Autumn” with the WDR Symphony Orchestra conducted by Eötvös Péter in Cologne and Essen.
    • Solo Concerts,in Curitiba Brazilia and São Paulo in Brazil.
    • Concerts,workshops in Beijin Shanghai Suzhou and Guangzhou in December.
  • 2017
    • Concerts,workshops in Taipei and Shanghai in April.
    • Concerts,workshops in The US Seattle,LA and San Francisco in June.
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado,USA.
    • Concerts,workshops in Melbourne,Brisbane in Australia in September.
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Matsuri in Seattle,USA in October.
    • Concerts,workshops in Beijin in December.
  • 2016
    • Invited Performer at the 1st World Music Festival in Udaipur,India in February.
    • Concerts,workshops in Taipei and Shanghai in April.
    • Concerts,workshops in The US Seattle LA and Denver in June.
    • Concerts,workshops in Barcelona European Shakuhachi Summer School in July.
    • Concerts,workshops in The US Seattle Potrland Denver and LA(CalArts and UCLA) in October and November.
  • 2015
    • Workshops and Concerts in Taiwan.
    • Performed Toru Takemitsu’s “November Steps” with the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jyun’ichi Hirokami in Cologne.
    • Workshops and Concerts in LA,Denver and Seattle.
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado, USA.
    • Performed at The Festival of Slow Music in Ballarat in Victoria Australia.
    • Performer/Instructor at the 7th Australian Shakuhachi Festival,Redland, Australia.
    • Workshops and Concerts in LA,San Francisco and Seattle.
  • 2014
    • Workshops and Concerts in LA,Phoenix,Seattle and San Francisco.
    • Workshops and Concerts in Taiwan.
    • Workshops and Concerts in Sao Paulo Brazil. Concert in Yuba farm in Alianca.
    • Workshops and Concerts in Radolfzell Gremany as parts of European Shakuhachi Summer School.
    • Participated CD recording for Ramon Humet’s”InterludisMeditatius” in Spain.
    • Workshop in Istanbul.
  • 2013
    • Workshops and Concerts in Taiwan.
    • Workshops and Concerts in l’académie Internatioale d’Eté de Nice in France.
    • Instructor at European Shakuhachi Summer school in Barcelona.
    • Performed Toru Takemitsu’s “November Steps” with the NHK Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit in Salzbrug music festival.
  • 2012
    • Performed Toru Takemitsu’s “November Steps” with the NHK Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit.
    • Workshops in San Francisco,Seattle,Phoenix and Los Angeles.
    • Lecture and Solo concert in Onassis Colture Center in Athens.
    • Workshops in Barcelona.
    • Performer/Instructor at the 6th International Shakuhachi Festival in Kyoto.
  • 2011
    • Workshops in San Francisco,Los Angeles, Seattle.
  • 2010
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado, USA.
    • Performed in Maria João Pires’s concert in Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris.
    • Solo concert at California Institute of the Arts in California in the US
    • Lecture concert in UCLA in California.
  • 2009
    • Solo CD “Koten Shakuhachi 2” released.
    • Instructor atShakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado, USA.
    • Instructor at ESMUC (Escola Superior de Musica de Catalunya) in Spain.
    • Performed in Barcelona, Valencia, Denia, Tarragona in Spain, Carla Bayle, France.
  • 2008
    • Invited Performer/Instructor at the 2008 World Shakuhachi Festival, Sydney, Australia.
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado, USA.
    • Instructor at PomonaUniversity and California Institute of the Arts in California in the US
  • 2007
    • Instructor atShakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado, USA.
    • Instructor at European Shakuhachi Summer school in France.
    • Performed “November Steps” with the Orchestra Nipponica Orchestra conducted by Tetsuji Honna in Hanoi Vietnam.
  • 2006
    • Performer/Instructor at the 6th Australian Shakuhachi Festival, Canberra, Australia.
    • Performed in Portland, Seattle (funded by The Japan Foundation).
    • Performed at the 2st Hawaiian Shakuhachi Festival, Hawaii (funded by The Japan Foundation).
  • 2005
    • Performed at the 1st Hawaiian Shakuhachi Festival, Hawaii.
    • Performed in Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Valladrid in Spain
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado, USA.
    • Performed “November Steps” in Germany with Erzgebirgsensembles Philharmonic. Orchestra conducted by Naoshi Takahashi.
  • 2004
  • 2003
    • Performed at the 4th Australian Shakuhachi Festival, Brisbane, Australia.
    • Performed at the 1st Canadian Shakuhachi Festival, Vancouver, Cananda (funded by The Japan Foundation).
    • Solo CD “Koten Shakuhachi” Released on the Victor label.
  • 2002
    • Performed at the Second Australian Shakuhachi Festival, Melbourne (funded by The Japan Foundation).
    • Passed the Third Victor Japanese Music Performer Audition.
    • Performed “November Steps” with the NHK Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hiroyuki Iwaki.
    • Instructor at Shakuhachi Summer Camp of the Rockies, Colorado, USA.
    • Performed at the Third International Shakuhachi Festival, Tokyo.
  • 2001
    • Performed “Eclipse” at the Special Fifth Memorial Concert for Toru Takemitsu.
    • Performed “November Steps” in Russia with St Petersburg Philharmonic. Orchestra conducted by Akira Naito.
    • Instructor at Rocky Shakuhachi Camp, Colorado, USA.
  • 2000
    • Performed Toru Takemitsu’s “November Steps” with the NHK Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit.
    • Performed Toru Takemitsu’s “Eclipse”, Seiji Ozawa’s Birthday Charity Concert.
    • Performed at the Second Australian Shakuhachi Festival, Brisbane, Australia.
  • 1999
    • Performed at the First Australian Shakuhachi Festival, Sydney.
  • 1998
    • Performed at the Second International Shakuhachi Music Festival, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
  • 1997
    • The Third Nagatani Kengyo Memorial, National Japanese Music Competition First Prize Shakuhachi Section, Overall Prize for Excellence.
  • 1995
    • Participated in recording of CDs:”Fukuda Rando Collection”,”Chikuin – Katsuya Yokoyama. The World of Shakuhachi”
  • 1994
    • Performed at the First International Shakuhachi Music Festival, Bisei, Okayama
  • 1991
    • Appeared in Katsuya Yokoyama’s video “Fukuda Rando Collection”.
  • 1989
    • Performed in the Japanese Traditional Culture Exchange Society tour of Madagascar and Italy.
  • 1987
    • Graduated from the 32nd NHK Traditional Music Conservatory.
  • 1982
    • Graduated Aoyama Gakuin University, Faculty of Engineering, Physics Department.
    • Studied shakuhachi with Katsuya Yokoyama after recommendation from first teacher Seido Saito.
  • 1959
    • Born in Chichibu, Saitama, Japan.

Currently:

  • Lecturer, Tokyo College of Music
  • Full time Instructor, International Shakuhachi Kenshu-Kan
  • Instructor, NHK Culture Centre
  • President of the International Shakuhachi Kenshukan Chichibu School and Nerima School

Kakizakai’s Internet Lessons

I am now available to teach lessons using the internet, by the exchange of mp3 sound files or using Skype.

I feel there is a big demand for the teaching of Honkyoku style, but this has not been possible without direct access to a teacher skilled in this style.

I felt it would be possible for me to teach Watazumi-Yokoyama style Honkyoku using the internet for these reasons:

  • I have been Yokoyama’s student for over 28 years, and have been teaching for 20 years
  • I have much experience teaching Watazumi-Yokoyama style Honkyoku outside Japan to foreign students
  • I can teach in both English and Japanese.
  • Many students now have easy access to broadband internet.

If you would like to learn the honkyoku style, you can record your playing as an mp3 file and attach it to an email. (wav files can be accepted, but they are very large, and your email provider may have size limits on attachments)

I will listen to it and send you back an mp3 recording of my comments (in English or Japanese) with better examples of shakuahchi play. (I can imitate your mistakes, and demonstrate the correct technique)

Or using Skype is one of the best way to have good motivation.

I can arrange lesson time even if you are outside Japan and have time difference.

I don’t think it’s possible to correct every problem in one lesson, so you might need to have a number of lessons for one piece.

A limitation of those systems are that I can’t correct your embouchure style. So if you have chance to see me, please have a lesson with me in person.

The notation/sheet music you use should be the ones published by the Kokusai Shakuachi Kenshukan (available here on the lessons page)

Yuki Yasuda teacher of Koto

Yuki Yasuda Kota Performer / TeacherJapanese koto player Yuki Yasuda is based in Los Angeles, California. She was born in Japan and began playing the koto at age twelve. She later majored in koto music at the Takasaki Junior Arts College and also received rigorous koto instruction under the tutelage of Tadao Sawai and Kazue Sawai, the masters of great modern koto music. Yuki served as an uchi-deshi (live-in apprentice) at the Sawai Koto Institute for three years and is a graduate of the NHK (Japanese National Broadcasting Company), traditional Japanese School of Music. Yuki has an extensive concert performance track, highlighted with numerous, recordings, and TV appearances throughout Japan.

Since moving to New York in 2009, and to Los Angeles in 2014, Yuki performed extensively as a soloist, with ensemble groups and collaborated with musicians and composers of various genres. She performed at “The Lecture of The Japanese Traditional Music” at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA;, the “Heineken Jazz Fest,” Puerto Rico; “Taikoza (New York-based Japanese Drums group) Russia Tour,” two world-premiere koto concertos with the “Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra,” Gloucester, MA; “Quincy Symphony Orchestra,” Quincy, MA; “Yuki Yasuda Solo Koto Recital” New England Conservatory, Boston, MA; “Anime Boston” as a member of Ten, “BET Awards 2016,” Los Angeles, CA; “San Francisco International Arts Festival,” as a member of The Wooden Fish Ensemble, “Kenny Endo & Friends in Concert,” Anaheim, CA, many others. Moreover, she has toured in Argentina, Honduras, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Germany, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Russia.

Yuki and her husband, Atsushi Asano (guitar and bass musician) founded her band “Ten,” in 2005. Ten is an instrumental world music band that blends the ancient sound of the Japanese koto with contemporary music instruments like the bass guitar, drum kit and utilizes multi-effect pedals to expand upon the unique and innovative sounds depicting the versatility of the koto instrument. Ten toured several cities throughout Japan and the U.S., intriguing audience members with their original song compositions and improvisations at the cross-section where traditional world music meets popular music genres.

Over and above Yuki’s performance career as a sought-after koto performer, she is also a passionate advocator for music education. In 1998, Yuki was awarded the first prize position at the Sawai Koto Institute’s Masters examination. Such an honorary recognition propelled Yuki to pursue a simultaneous career as a Teaching Artist providing koto lessons and workshops in Japan for ten years, followed by a four-year teaching position at the Boston Koto Academy. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2014, Yuki continues to maintain a private koto studio classroom, where she offers rudimentary to advanced level koto instruction catering to a wide range of students and educational backgrounds.

-The Master of Sawai Koto Institute
-Member of the Japan Sankyoku Association.
[email protected]

Recent Work