We are Nonprofit Now!
After all challenges and difficulties, now we are happy to announce we are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit! We are very excited to grow with this new format while keep doing what we love and have been doing, appreciating Japanese music, learning how to play Japanese instruments, such as koto and shamisen, and sharing Japanese music with everyone out there as much as possible!
Here is our mission statement.
At LA’s 33 Strings, we celebrate Japanese culture through musical performances and offering educational programs. Our mission is to inspire appreciation, preserve traditions, and share the art and history of Japanese music to audiences and learners worldwide.
Who we are
Ensemble
We are a new organization, but we have been performing in the greater LA are for years. Please see the list below for what we have accomplished!
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Events and Festivals
- Newport Beach Film Festival
- OC Japan Fair
- Dream Asia Food Fest in Las Vegas
- World Music and Dance Festival at CalArts
Other Locations:
- Harris Hall at USC
- Storrier-Stearns Japanese Garden
- Various libraries in SoCal
- Various Japanese Community Centers in California
- Little Tokyo (Nishi Hongwanji and other locations)
- LA Artcore
- Wild Beast, California College of the Arts
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Artistic Director: Kozue Matsumoto
Born and raised in the Tohoku (東北) area in Japan, Kozue has been in the Los Angeles area since 2014. She has played the koto since she was three years old. She also plays the shamisen and a few other Japanese instruments.
Recent Achievements:
- Cultural ambassador with Consulate-General of Japan
- Soloist at Genshin Impact Symphony Concert at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and in Chicago in 2023 and 2024
- Koto performer for a multi-award winning drama, Shogun (Released in 2024 from Disney on Hulu)
- Koto performer for Ghost of Tsushima (a PlayStation game released in 2020 from Sony)
- Taught at California Institute of the Arts
- Performing all over the LA area including Huntington Libraries, UCLA, Peacock Theater, 2220 Arts + Archives, and more universities, gardens and concert venues
- Guest lecturer/artist at UCLA, UC Santa Cruz, Washington State University, Keio University (Japan), and more
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Board members
Chair: Sarah Quon
Secretary: Susan Xie
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Treasurer: Shoshi Watanabe
Artistic Director: Kozue Matsumoto
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From the Chair
Welcome to the very first edition of our newsletter! As we take this exciting step, I am filled with gratitude and pride for the journey that has brought us here. Our mission has always been to share the beauty, depth, and spirit of traditional Japanese music with the world, and this newsletter is a way to bring you even closer to that mission.
Through our performances, workshops, and community events, we strive to honor the rich heritage of Japanese music while creating connections that transcend culture and language. In this issue, you’ll find updates on upcoming performances and stories from the incredible musicians and supporters who bring our vision to life.
Your support means everything to us. Whether you’ve attended a performance, helped spread the word about our work, or simply share a love for this timeless art form, you are an essential part of our community. Together, we are preserving a beautiful tradition and ensuring it continues to inspire future generations.
Thank you for being with us on this journey. I look forward to sharing many more moments of beauty and harmony with you.
Warm Regards,
Sarah M. Quon
Chair, LA’s 33 Strings
Upcoming Performance!
We are performing in Las Vegas! If you or your friends are in the area, please come by! This is part of Dream Asia Food Fest, and there will be lots of tasty food to try, too!
Date:
Saturday February 15, 2025
1:30pm
Location:
Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
200 S 3rd St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
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