Biography

I am a professional shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) teacher and performer as well as composer. Born in New York in 1954, I am primarily self-taught in composition, though I studied some theory and orchestration with my father, who was a composer himself and chairman of the music department at NYU. I also studied classical piano throughout my childhood and later put that to good use in rock and jazz bands as well as in the all-night solo improvisations I presented for several years.

I began composing and performing for off-off-Broadway plays in the mid-seventies and was also involved in the performance art scene of that era. My work in theater and performance art led to many collaborations with post-modern dancers such as Deborah Hay, Vicky Shick, etc. In 1978 I began studying shakuhachi with Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin, then later with Yodo Kurahashi. I have a teaching license at the shihan (master) level in the Ki Sui An shakuhachi dojo.

My performances often juxtapose traditional Japanese meditative pieces (honkyoku) with improvisation and electronic noise music. I frequently work with postmodern choreographers and butoh dancers. In the past two years I have returned as well to composition for Western classical ensembles.

Discography

• dreaming of waking up (solo shakuahchi), 2008.
• First Places (solo shakuahchi), 2001.
• Already Gone, 1999. For shakuhachi, Native American Flute, pedal steel guitar, shakuhachi, drums, turntables, and electronics.

Selected Compositions

• Morning Light, for Piano Quartet, 2009.
• String Quartet, 2009.
• Crystal Earth Drum, 2006, for electronics.
• Ishi (stones), 2004, for shinobue, shakuhachi, sho, kokyu, bass koto and percussion (o-daiko, tyappa, kin, and mokugyo).
• Quiet Music, 2004, for electronics (installation).
• You Were Dazzle, 2002, for untrained voices, shakuhachi, electric guitar, bass, cymbals, and video, 2002 (text by Carole Maso).