I Did It!

From left to right: me on the stage of Carnegie Hall with my grandmother, just prior to me beginning my rehearsal; my mother and me onstage; backstage in my first gown by Katsuya Ooe; accepting the applause of the audience

Dear Friends,

The last time I posted a few weeks ago, I was getting ready for my Carnegie Hall solo recital debut on Sunday, May 3, 2026.  Since that time I have returned to Japan, and am preparing for my concert at Suntory Hall on on Sunday, June 26, 2026.  For all of my friends in Tokyo, I look forward to seeing you there.

I would like to thank everyone in New York for all of their wonderful help in making this concert possible.  Everything that took place was beyond my wildest dreams, and I am more than grateful.  My special thanks go out to my teacher, Cosmo Buono, and Barry Alexander for all he did to help me write the book Practice, Practice, Practice, which describes this wonderful and exciting moment in my career.

I would also like to thank Eric Hemedes Bass, and Eric Bass Designs, who did a superb job handling all of the social media over the course of many months, with blog posts, announcements as well as the layout and design of Practice, Practice, Practice.

I also offer a special vote of thanks to the two very special photographers for their many wonderful images: Francis Catania, who photographed the rehearsal, concert and reception; and Stephen Sullivan for his excellent work on the photo shoot of my gowns at the Columbus Citizens Foundation which are celebrating the incredible work of Katsuya Ooe.

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank the management of Carnegie Hall, all of whom were not only cooperative, but who went out of their way to make everything as comfortable and convenient as possible for me as they could, starting first with the rehearsals, and all the way through until I left backstage after the end of the concert.

Over the course of the next few weeks I will be sharing photos and other aspects of what was a very exciting day for me.

Thanks again to each and every one of you!

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