LA's 33 Strings (Former CalArts Japanese Ensemble) First Newsletter!


LA's 33 Strings First Newsletter!

Let us introduce ourselves

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!

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

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

Board members

Chair: Sarah Quon

Secretary: Susan Xie

Treasurer: Shoshi Watanabe

Artistic Director: Kozue Matsumoto

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

Logo Competition

We are new, meaning we have still a lot to decide. Our logo is one of them, and we decided that we would like to create our logo with our friends (you!). If you or someone around you are interested in designing one for us, please do and submit from the link below. We have a prize for the winner, too!

Ways to Support & Get Involved

LA’s 33 Strings Ensemble is dedicated to preserving and sharing the beauty of Japanese music, but we can’t do it alone! Your support helps us continue our mission in many ways.

🌸 Make a Donation

Your generosity allows us to:

  • Purchase and maintain traditional instruments
  • Organize performances, workshops, and cultural events
  • Cover event travel expenses and venue costs
  • Support educational programs, etc.

Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference!

👉 Donate today at www.33strings.org/donate

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🎶 Learn & Play

Interested in learning the koto, shamisen, or bass koto? Join our weekly group practice at San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center in Pacoima, and/or take private lessons with our instructor Kozue.

📩 Email us at info@33strings.org to learn more!

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📸 Volunteer Opportunities

Love music and want to contribute your skills? We’re always looking for:

  • Photographers – Capture our events and performances
  • Videographers – Record and document our musical journey
  • Video Editors – Edit event footage for our website & social media
  • Graphic Designers – Help create posters, newsletters, and web content
  • Merchandise Specialists – Assist with designing and producing 33 Strings merch
  • Social Media Promoters – Help spread the word about our events and programs
  • Event Helpers – Support us with setup, logistics, and community engagement

Have other skills to offer? We’d love to hear from you!

📩 Contact us at info@33strings.org

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Thank you for reading! If you have some ideas for us or any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to hear from you!

Email: info@33strings.org

LA's 33 Strings

[E] info@33strings.org | [W] www.33strings.org | [I] @33strings_

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