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LA's 33 Strings
三十三絃の会
Newsletter #3 |
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Our New Logos!!
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We are very excited to announce our logos! Among many candidates (thank you for submitting!), these are the two finalists. We love both so much, so we decided to use both as our logos. You will be seeing these logos everywhere around us!
The first logo
This logo depicts the number 33 in both Arabic numbers (33) and Japanese numbers (三十三). You can also see a koto bridge and shamisen bachi.
The second logo
This one says our name (三十三絃の会 LA's 33 strings) and also three strings on the top and the bottom of the design.
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🌸 Blossom Festival
Last year, we held CalArts Matsuri to raise funds for the ensemble. It was the beginning of our journey as an independent ensemble. The event was very successful, and we loved what we did so much. It was an authentic interdisciplinary presentation of who we are, and we realized the amount of support out there in the community, for which we are very grateful.
We are doing it again this year! We changed the event name to Blossom Festival since it's not just us Japanese ensemble, but also multiple Asian groups are joining us this time. To truly represent this multicultural event, we decided not to use Japanese words or any word from a specific Asian language to include everyone!
You can enjoy various Asian foods, live performances, and try a kimono (and purchase if you like!). We'll be of course performing there! :) We are also hosting a cosplay contest, so please show up with your best cosplay costume! Or just come and enjoy!
Blossom Festival
Date:
Thursday, April 24th, 2025
3:00pm - 7:00pm
Location:
California Institute of the Arts
24700 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355
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🎭 Akiko Fujimoto Shamisen Concert
I must say, this is a super rare opportunity. The Jiuta (時歌) shamisen master, FUJIMOTO, Akiko is having a concert in LA! She has learned the shamisen from her mother, who is now a Living National Treasure in Japan. Fujimoto sensei has won multiple awards in Japan including one from the Emperor of Japan and one from the Japanese government. As a co-sponsor, LA Artcore has kindly offered space for this very special concert.
The seats are limited, so please register at https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/akiko-fujimoto-workshopconcert
Proceeding the concert, a workshop is held for shamisen learners. If you have a shamisen, please bring it with you. Again please register using the link above.
藤本昭子 FUJIMOTO, Akiko
FUJIMOTO Akiko is a Kyushu style jiuta koto music performer. From a young age FUJIMOTO received training in koto and shamisen playing from her grandmother ABE Keiko and her mother FUJII Kunie (who is a designated Living National Treasure). In 1988, FUJIMOTO was selected at the NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) audition. She has held recitals since 1995, and since 2001 FUJIMOTO is keeping the tradition of ‘Jiuta Live’ concerts alive. In 2006, ‘FUJII Akiko Jiuta Sōkyoku Concert’ was held in London and she also held workshops at University of London. In 2008 she performed in the Netherlands and Belgium, 2012 in Austria, Hungary, and 2017 in Switzerland. After her marriage in 2015 her stage name became FUJIMOTO Akiko. She has received the Japan Traditional Culture Foundation (JTCF) Award, The New Face award of the National Arts Festival Awards by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, The Encouragement Award of the Pola Awards by the Pola Foundation for The Promotion of Traditional Japanese Culture, The New Face Award of Ministry of Education Awards for Arts by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. She is currently serving as the director for Ikuta School Association, (NPO) Japan Sankyoku Association, and Female Koto Players Association. FUJIMOTO also serves as the Vice Chairperson of Seiha Music School and Ginmei Kai. Apart from performing in concerts and television broadcasts, she is also an educator and teacher of the next generation of jiuta sōkyoku performers.
🍣 Sushi & Sake Festival in Pechanga
We'll be performing at a tasty Japanese food festival in Pechanga in May! We'll be performing around 11:00am and 3:00pm. Please come by if you are around and enjoy a variety of tasty food and drinks while enjoying our performance! Tickets are available on their website.
Pechanga's 5th Annual Sushi And Sake Festival
Date:
Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Location:
Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula, CA
Admission:
Purchase Tickets
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Member Highlights
We introduce our members here. We are a Japanese ensemble, but as you will see, we are proudly diverse in many ways! The door to music is open to everyone!
Sebastian Melendez is one of the founding members of LA's 33 Strings, joining in 2022 when the ensemble was still a class at the California Institute of the Arts. A multi-instrumentalist, they specialize in not only Japanese traditional instrumental arts but in violin and horn, as well as whole host of other instruments if requested; however, their primary studies lay in instrumental composition and experimental sound practices. Their work focuses on sound design, sonic poetry, and acoustic compositions inspired by stories and abstract concepts.
When not practicing (or napping), Sebastian can often be found outdoors, listening to the wind, birds, and the subtle sounds of the world. For them, this deep listening is both a form of relaxation and a creative tool, fueling new musical ideas. In fact, it was this connection to nature that first drew them to the shamisen. Reflecting on their journey, they share:
“I remember when I first began studying shamisen, my sensei taught me that the music itself is based on the sounds of nature. At the time, I was just starting to question my Western classical upbringing and its emphasis on constant technical precision. This new approach helped me rediscover why I fell in love with music in the first place—it’s the answer to the human soul and its place in nature, as well as a way to explore deeper questions about our place in the universe.”
Outside of music, Sebastian is passionate about herpetology, ecology, and tabletop gaming with friends. They have worked for Joshua Tree National Park and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and have volunteered at reptile sanctuaries as a way of growing closer and giving back to the nature that inspires them. In addition, they are a dedicated social justice advocate who openly embraces their nonbinary identity, prioritizing education to promote a more accepting and understanding world.
Their ultimate goal is to become a college professor in musicology and to help sponsor cultural organizations that promote awareness of diverse art forms globally. For now, they are content where they are—continuing to compose and perform with LA's 33 Strings—until they head to Tokyo to pursue their master's degree.
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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.
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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:
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- 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
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