2025

April 17-20
World Shakuhachi Festival
Performances and workshops at the quadrennial gathering of
the world’s foremost shakuhachi players.
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
HERE

April 5, 6:00PM
Shakuhachi Dojo Recital and Licensing Ceremony
Student recital of traditional honkyoku and sankyoku with naming and licensing ceremony.
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St, NYC
Admission Free

March 30, 7:00PM
Eurasia Consort
Performances of Tang Dynasty Music
Hunter/Dunbar Gallery, 524 WEST 24 STREET, NYC, 10011
HERE

March 22, 7:30PM
Kammerraku Encore
Arianna String Quartet, Yoko Reikano Kimura, Sumie Kaneko
All Schlefer program
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St, NYC
HERE

March 3, two performances
Sarasota Institute of Lifetime Learning
Solo shakuhachi performances with discussion of classic and new music
Venice Presbyterian Church 825 The Rialto
Church of the Palms 3224 Bee Ridge Road
HERE

2024

October 20, 7:00PM
Interpretations of art - Music, Poetry, sculpture
Premiere of my new work for shakuhachi and contrabass flute with Lish Lindsey
Ki Smith Gallery, 170 Forsyth St. NYC
HERE

November 2, 7:30PM
Kiku Ika キク イカ Chrysanthemum Squid
Premieres. reprises and contemporary music for shakuhachi, soprano and string trio
Featuring James Nyoraku Schlefer, Juliet Schlefer, Pauline Kim Harris, David Yang and Eliana Yang.
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St NYC
HERE

July 12, 7:30PM
BREATHING BAMBOO
A concert of shakuhachi music featuring members of “The Shakuhachi Five” from Tokyo. James Nyoraku Schlefer will join Akihisa Kominato, Akihito Obama, and Ken-ichi Tajima in a program of solos, duos, trios and a new quartet. All Shakuhachi!
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St NYC
HERE

June 21, 12:00PM AND 4:00PM
KYO SHIN AN SHAKUHACHI DOJO
MAKE MUSIC. NEW YORK Solstice celebration
12:00PM - Brooklyn Commons
4:00PM - Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1

May 12, 4:00PM
EURASIA CONSORT: Silk Road
St. James Church
Lancaster, PA
HERE

April 13, 7:00PM
ARIANNA STRING QUARTET, SHAKUHACHI, KOTO, SHAMISEN
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St. NYC
Performance of “TOMMY” for string quartet with Yoko Reikano Kimura and Sumie Kaneko, koto, shamisen and voice - James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi
HERE

March 9, 7:30PM
ARIANNA STRING QUARTET, SHAKUHACHI, KOTO, SHAMISEN
Touhill Performing Arts Center, St. Louis, MO
Performance of “TOMMY” for string quartet with Yoko Reikano Kimura and Sumie Kaneko, koto, shamisen and voice - James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi
Plus music of Marty Regan and Yamada Kengyō
HERE

March 8, 7:30PM
ARIANNA STRING QUARTET, SHAKUHACHI, KOTO, SHAMISEN
East Central College, 1964 Prairie Dell Rd, Union, MO
World Premiere of “TOMMY” for string quartet with Yoko Reikano Kimura and Sumie Kaneko, koto, shamisen and voice - James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi
Plus music of Marty Regan and Yamada Kengyō
HERE

March 3, 8:00AM (yes 8:00AM NY time)
ONLINE CLASS WITH THE EUROPEAN SHAKUHACHI SOCIETY
James will teach two online classes of intermediate and advanced solo shakuhachi pieces.
Registration will be HERE

2023

December 10, 12:30PM
MUJUAN 50th Anniversary Concert
Kokoro Hall, Ikenobo Junior College, Kyoto

November 18, 2:00PM
EURASIA CONSORT
Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal - 552 West End Ave. NYC
Eurasia Consort presents a concert of music found on the Silk Road in East Asia. During the 6th century Buddhist music filled the region between India and China.
Japan became a cul-de-sac of music and instruments. The ensemble includes kugo, hokyo, sho and shakuhachi.
HERE

October 8, 4:00PM
KAMMERRAKU PROMISE
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St, Manhattan
Chamber music for Japanese and Western instruments by three extraordinary Japanese composers.
Featuring the world premiere of American Prize Winner Masatora Goya's “Tree of Life” for shakuhachi and string quartet,
plus works by Minoru Miki and Yoko Sato.
Yoko Reikano Kimura, koto
James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi
Cassatt String Quartet
HERE

October 1, 12:00 Noon
DOJO RECITAL
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St, Manhattan
Kyo Shin An shakuhachi dojo reital of traditional and new music for shakuhachi

May 24, 7:00PM
CUTTING EDGE CONCERTS
Kosciuscko Foundation, 15 E.65th St, Manhattan
Ron Warren, native flute, Paul Barnes, piano, James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi, Caleb van de Swaagh, cello
Music by Philip Glass, Ron Warren, Victoria Bond
HERE

April 28, 7:00PM
EASTERN LIGHT
BARGEMUSIC
Traditional and contemporary music for Shakuhachi, Koto and Shamisen
With Yoko Reikano Kimura, Sumie Kaneko, and James Nyoraku Schlefer
Brooklyn, NY
HERE

April 23, 3:00PM
EASTERN LIGHT
MUSIC IN THE NAVE
Traditional and contemporary music for Shakuhachi, Koto and Shamisen
With Yoko Reikano Kimura, Sumie Kaneko, and James Nyoraku Schlefer
Kent, Ct.
HERE

April 12 and 13,
CONCERTANTE and FOUR ETHEREAL PIECES
Two performances in Serbia of orchestral music by James Nyoraku Schlefer and Aleksandra Vrebalov
4/12 - NOVI SAD, Synagogue @20:00
4/13 - BELGRADE, Zadužbina Ilije Kolarca @20:00
Check back for details

April 3, 7:00PM
EASTERN LIGHT
Traditional and contemporary music for Shakuhachi, Koto and Shamisen
With Yoko Reikano Kimura, Sumie Kaneko, and James Nyoraku Schlefer
Haverford College, PA
HERE

April 2, 4:00PM
FOUR SEASONS IN NEW YORK
Performance with Yoko Reikano Kimura, Koto
CRS, Manhattan
HERE

March 23, 1:15PM
EURASIA CONSORT
Tomoko Sugawara ~ kugo (ancient Angular harp), August Denhard ~ lute
Rex Benincasa ~ hokyo (metallophone), drum, gamin ~ piri (bamboo oboe), seanghwang (mouth-organ)
James Nyoraku Schlefer ~ shakuhachi (bamboo vertical flute)

Eurasia Consort presents music found on the Silk Road in East Asia. During the 6th century Buddhist music filled the region between India and China. Japan became a cul-de-sac of music and instruments. The new ensembles include kugo, hokyo, sho and shakuhachi, instruments available in the Shosoin, Japan, the world's oldest museum.

Free concert HERE

March 19, 4:00PM
ARTS AT TENRI - “Shamrock Spring”
Performance of new music for shakuhachi by Douglas Cuomo, Thomas Osborne, Jake Tantleff, and James Nyoraku Schlefer
With Kathleen Supové, Hikaru Tamaki and Justin Jay Hines
HERE

January 16, 7:00PM
Soloist in Karl Jenkins “REQUIEM”
Carnegie Hall
HERE

January 7, 2:00PM
WINTER TEA IN PROSPECT PARK: Solo shakuhachi performance with tea.
Prospect park Boathouse.
FREE event.
HERE

2022

December 9, 7:00PM
LOW KEY CHAMBER CONCERTS, Duo with guitarist and composer GENE PRITSKER
Sky Vault Facebook Live Stream. Check back for the link.

November 13, 4:00PM
KAMMERRAKU HARVEST: KYO-SHIN-AN and ARIANNA STRING QUARTET
Performance with the Arianna String Quartet featuring new works by Aleksandra Vrebalov and Donald Womack.
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St, NYC
HERE

October 14, 4:00PM
KAMMERRAKU HARVEST: KYO-SHIN-AN and ARIANNA STRING QUARTET
Performance with the Arianna String Quartet featuring new works by Aleksandra Vrebalov and Donald Womack.
Touhill Performing Arts Center
St. Louis, MO
HERE

October 9, 4:00PM
AUTUMN GARDEN: KYO-SHIN-AN ARTS and NEAVE TRIO
Performance with the Neave Trio featuring the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by Takuma Itoh.
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St, NYC=
HERE

October 2, 1:00 and 4:00PM
SHAKUHACHI IN THE QUARRY
A site specific performance by for four shakuhachi players of an original work composed by James Nyoraku Schlefer
to be performed around the quarry at MANITOGA by Thomas Ryuraku Hack, Adam Robinson, James Nyoraku Schlefer, Zac Zinger..
Garrison, NY INFO AND TIX HERE

September 18, 2:00PM
SHAKUHACHI DOJO RECITAL
The post-pandemic return of the annual recital of shakuhachi students from the Kyo-Shin-An dojo.
New York Center, 4215 147th St, Queens, NY 11355
Free, Donations accepted

June 12, 4:00 PM
JAPAN SONGS
Deborah Lifton, soprano – James Nyoraku Schefer, shakuhachi –Sami Merdinian, violin - Laura Metcalf, cello – Kathleen Supové, piano
An eclectic collection of songs based on ancient Japanese poetry Six songs – Six composers.
Victoria Bond, Douglas J. Cuomo, James Matheson, Paul Moravec, Jay Reise and Aleksandra Vrebalov
Tenri Cultural Institute, NYC
Tickets and info: HERE

March 5, 7:00PM
SPRING LEAVES
Hikaru Tamaki, cello - Justin Jay Hines, percussion, James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi - Kathleen Supové, piano
LIVE and IN-PERSON! Kyo-Shin-An Arts' 2020 trio commissions to Masatora Goya and Randall WoolfPlus two world premiere quartets by Justin Jay Hines and James Nyoraku Schlefer.
Tenri Cultural Institute, NYC
Tickets and info: HERE

January 21, 5:00 PM
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE
At the Consulate General of Japan in New York.
Free Live-Stream concert with guest artists Masayo Ishigure and Kathleen Supové.
Link for the concert: HERE

2021

November 21, 4:00PM LIVE; November 28-December 2 Online
FOUR SEASONS IN NEW YORK - GEMS OF JAPANESE MUSIC
Guest artist on a concert series by Yoko Reikano Kimura.
Nasuno – Fire Fox – (composed by Yamada-kengyo)
Meikyo for shamisen and shakuhachi (composed by Seiho Kineya)
Koto-Uta (composed by Toshio Hosokawa
Center for Remembering and Sharing, NYC
Tickets and Info: HERE

November 14, 4:00PM
BAMBOO FOREST 竹の森
An all-shakuhachi program!
Featuring the American premiere of Shakuhachi Five by renowned Japanese composer Dai Fujikura
Plus duos and trios by Elizabeth Brown, Fukuda Rando, James Nyoraku Schlefer
Featuring five world-class shakuhachi artists: Elizabeth Brown, Marco Lienhard, Ralph Samuelson, James Nyoraku Schlefer and Zac Zinger.
INFO & TICKETS: HERE
Shakuhachi Duets from Isle Royale (2005) .......... Elizabeth Brown (b.1953)
Tone no Funauta “Boat Song of Tohne” .......... Fukuda Rando (1906-1967)
Kumoijishi "Lion in the Clouds” .......... Traditional
Slow Muse (2021) World Premiere .......... James Nyoraku Schlefer (b.1956)
Shakuhachi Five (2019) American Premiere; a Kyo-Shin-An Arts co-commission .......... Dai Fujikura (b.1977) 

October 17, 4:00PM
AUTUMN DREAMS
Duo YUMENO 夢乃
Yoko Reikano Kimura, koto and shamisen & Hikaru Tamaki, cello
World Premiere of Dream Waves for cello and shamisen by James Nyoraku Schlefer
and the American Premiere of Mosaic for koto and cello by Yutaka Makino. Plus duos by
Kin’ichi Nakanoshima, Akira Nishimura and Takatomi Nobunaga.
TENRI CULTURAL INSTITUTE
43A W.13th St, NYC
Tickets HERE

October 14, 1:15PM
MIDTOWN CONCERTS
Eurasia Consort presents music found along the Silk Road. During the sixth century Buddhism traveled from India to China. This journey also brought music, instruments and musicians to China. East Asian courts became filled with international music and Japan became the cul-de-sac of music and instruments. The Japanese Emperor had a Treasure house, the Shosoin, filled with instruments, such as kugo harps, flutes, pipes and percussions. This program presents court music on some of these instruments. 
FREE CONCERT: HERE

Tomoko Sugawara ~ Kugo (ancient Angular harp) Gamin Kang ~ Piri (bamboo oboe), Seanghwang (mouth-organ) 
James Nyoraku Schlefer ~ Shakuhachi (bamboo vertical flute) Rex Benincasa ~ percussion 

September 19, 7:00PM
KAMMERRAKU REBIRTH
Premiering two new works for string quartet with koto, shamisen and shakuhachi, representing the second half of KSA’s 10th Anniversary Septet project. Kammerraku Dances by James Matheson and Spring Butterfly by Yoko Sato performed by the Cassatt Quartet, Sumie Kaneko, Yoko Reikano Kimura and James Nyoraku Schlefer.
Tickets: HERE

June 6, 4:00PM Live Streamed
BAMBOO RAKU
Keeping the legacy alive. 
Contemporary versions of traditional solo shakuhachi music. Brooklyn Style! Three original versions of classic shakuhachi honkyoku. Plus, KIO, an extraordinary duo for cello and shakuhachi and by Michiyo Mamiya, with cellist Hikaru Tamaki.
Tickets/Info: HERE

May 17-30
HERMITAGE ARTIST RETREAT
Invited guest for composing retreat on Manasota Key in SW Florida.
Website: HERE

Thursday, April 29, 7:00pm Live Streamed
BREATHING PEACE VI
At the crossroad of sound and silence lies the timeless sound of an ancient instrument. The traditional music of the Japanese shakuhachi flute incorporates breathing, emptiness and music into a powerful experience allowing for contemplation, reflection and the search for compassion.
Soapbox Art Gallery
636 Dean St. Brooklyn
Tickets: HERE

Thursday, April 15, 7:30PM Live Streamed
THE JAPANESE CONNECTION
Performance with the Voyager Ensemble
University of Maryland Baltimore
HERE

March 14, 2021 7:30PM
MUSIC MATTERS
Podcast with Jason Tramm
HERE

Sunday, March 21, 3:00pm, Live Broadcast from Tenri Cultural Institute
WINTER CALM
Sumie Kaneko, Yoko Reikano Kimura and James Nyoraku Schlefer performing a program of traditional and contemporary music for koto, shamisen, shakuhachi and voice. “Miyako no Haru”, “Yachiyo Jishi”, Yasha Mai”, and “Hanakazashi”.

Thursday, February 18
LECTURE/DEMONSTRATION
Performances and talk about shakuhachi and Japanese music for World Music class at Hunter College.

Monday, January 18, 7:00pm Live Streamed
BREATHING PEACE V
Take one hour. Step back, breathe deeply and contemplate the sounds and silence of Zen Buddhist music for shakuhachi - the Japanese bamboo flute. The fifth in a series exploring the traditional music and some contemporary works for the shakuhachi.
Soapbox Art Gallery
636 Dean St. Brooklyn
Tickets: HERE

2020

Sunday, December 20, 3:00pm, Live Broadcast
JAPAN SONGS
Kyo-Shin-An Arts’ 2020-21 season continues with Japan Songs, An eclectic song cycle for soprano, shakuhachi and piano.
Six songs – Six composers Victoria Bond, Douglas J. Cuomo, James Matheson, Paul Moravec, Jay Reise and Aleksandra Vrebalov.
Celebrate the 2020 Solstice with an incredible virtual premiere! Live chat with the composers and performers during the broadcast. Special chat guest: The man who translated all of the song texts, Dr. Thomas E. McAuley from the University of Sheffield, UK.
Tickets: HERE

Deborah Lifton, soprano – James Nyoraku Schefer, shakuhachi Sami Merdinian, violin – Kathleen Supové, piano – Laura Metcalf, cello
PROGRAM
JAPAN SONGS (2020)
Autumn Mountains by Victoria Bond
Tree of Pearls by Douglas J. Cuomo
Not A Trace by James Matheson
Eight Thousand Spears by Paul Moravec
In the blink of an eye… by Jay Reise
KEI’UN SONG praying for love by Aleksandra Vrebalov
PLUS music by Piazzolla and Varèse

Sunday, November 15, 3:00pm, Live Broadcast
VIRTUAL FALLING LEAVES
Kyo-Shin-An Arts’ 2020-21 season opens with two world premiere trios for piano, cello and shakuhachi by Randy Woolf and Masatora Goya. Plus a world premiere for solo piano by Eric Lyon and a new work for solo shakuhachi by Ingrid Arauco.
Tickets: HERE

Kathleen Supové, piano - Hikaru Tamaki, cello - James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi
PROGRAM
Bow Down (2020) by Randall Woolf (piano, cello and shakuhachi)
Manas (2020) by Masatora Goya (piano, cello and shakuhachi)
Screaming Fist from Earth to Kathy (2020) by Eric Lyon (solo piano)
Poem (Now it is spring) (2020) by Ingrid Arauco (solo shakuhachi)

Monday, October 5, 7:00pm Live Streamed
BREATHING PEACE IV
The fourth in an on-going series devoted to the traditional shakuhachi honkyoku. One hour to contemplate the sounds and silences of classic shakuhachi music. Breathe, unwind, find peace inside and outside.
Soapbox Art Gallery
636 Dean St. Brooklyn
Tickets: HERE

Friday, July 17, 7:00pm Live-Streamed
BREATHING PEACE III
The third in an on-going series devoted to the traditional shakuhachi honkyoku. One hour to contemplate the sounds and silences of classic shakuhachi music. Breathe, unwind, find peace inside and outside.
Soapbox Art Gallery
636 Dean St. Brooklyn
Tickets: HERE

June 22 - July 20
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Four-week composer residency at the Kingsbrae Arts Center in St. Andrew’s, Canada. Researching performance styles and notation of classic honkyoku, and composing new music.

THIS HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION
May 17, 2020, 4:00 pm
PEONY DREAMS
A concert of traditional and contemporary music for Japanese and Western instruments featuring Dave Eggar, cello; Taka Kigawa, piano and James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi.
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St. NYC
Tickets and Details HERE

May 7, 2020, 7:30 pm Still happening but LIVE STREAMED
BREATHING PEACE II
The second in an on-going series devoted to the traditional shakuhachi honkyoku. One hour to contemplate the sounds and silences of classic shakuhachi music. Breathe, unwind, find peace inside and outside.
Soapbox Art Gallery
636 Dean St. Brooklyn
Tickets: HERE

THIS CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION
May 3, 2020, 6:00 pm
EURASIA CONSORT
World premieres of two new compositions by Alice Shields and Bun-Ching Lam, along with music from the Tang Dynasty discovered in the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China.
Asia Society Texas Center
Houston, TX

April 23, 2020, 6:00 pm Online Lecture
PERFORMANCE AND LECTURE
Performances of traditional shakuhachi music and lecture about the music and its history.
Hunter College, NYC

THIS CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION
April 15, 2020, 7:30 pm
EASTERN LIGHT; MUSIC FOR JAPANESE INSTRUMENTS
Yoko Reikano Kimura and James Nyoraku Schlefer perform classic music for shakuhachi, koto and shamisen. Part of “Celebrating 50 years of East Languages and Culture at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.”
Great Hall, Old Chapel UMass
Amherst, MA
Free: HERE

THESE CONCERTS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION
April 3, 2020, 8:00 pm
KAMMERRAKU ANNIVERSARY
Two iconic ensembles from the courts of Europe and Japan meet in the ultimate blend of Japanese and Western music. Featuring the Arianna String Quartet, Yoko Reikano Kimura, Sumie Kaneko, and James Nyoraku Schlefer.
Touhill Performing Arts Center
St. Louis, MO
Tickets and details: HERE

March 29, 4:00 pm
KAMMERRAKU ANNIVERSARY
Two iconic ensembles from the courts of Europe and Japan meet in the ultimate blend of Japanese and Western music. Featuring the Arianna String Quartet, Yoko Reikano Kimura, Sumie Kaneko, and James Nyoraku Schlefer.
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St. NYC
Tickets and details: HERE

March 12, 7:30 pm
SHAKUHACHI DUOS
Concert of music for two shakuhachis with Bruce Huebner, from Japan
Soapbox Gallery, 636 Dean St, Brooklyn, NY
Tickets and info: HERE

THESE CONCERTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN SEATTLE
AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED IN THE FUTURE.
March 22, 2:00 pm
ASIA ARTS IN ACTION: EURASIA CONSORT
Seattle Asian Art Museum, Seattle, WA
Eight musicians perform world premieres of two new compositions by Alice Shields and Bun-Ching Lam, along with music from the Tang Dynasty discovered in the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China.
Tomoko Sugawara, co-director and kugo harp
August Denhard, co-director and lute
Munir Nurettin Beken, Turkish ud - Miyo Aoki, recorder
James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi - Sarah Carrier, alto flute
Martha Cluver, voice - Rex Benincasa, percussion

March 21, 2:00 pm
EURASIA CONSORT
Same program as above
Renton Library, Seattle, WA

February 16, 4:30 pm
PERFORMANCE AND LECTURE
Performances of traditional shakuhachi music and lecture about the music and its history.
Eastman School of Music, Ciminelli Hall, Rochester, NY
Details HERE

February 9, 4:00 pm
WINTER LIGHT
Duo Yumeno (Yoko Reikano Kimura, koto and shamisen, Hikaru Tamaki cello) with James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi and David Yang, viola. Duos, trios and quartets with KSA commissions by Debra Kaye and Salina Fisher.
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St. NYC
Tickets and details: HERE

January 30, 7:30 pm
BREATHING PEACE
The first of a new series at SOAPBOX art gallery in Brooklyn. Quarterly concerts featuring traditional honkyoku for solo shakuhachi.
Soapbox Gallery, 636 Dean Street, Brooklyn, NY
Tickets and details: HERE

2019

December 15, 3:00 pm
NO MORE THAN A FLASH OF LIGHTNING
Performance with Kathleen Supové, Piano, and James Moore, Banjo. Premiere of Randall Woolf’s new composition.
SPECTRUM, Brooklyn, NY

October 26 and 27
TRIOS EAST AND WEST
A mini-festival of music for shakuhachi, koto, shamisen and string trio. Music by Matthew Harris, Matthew Shorten, Douglas J. Cuomo, John King, Ernő Dohnányi, Thoma Osbonre.
EAST Yoko Reikano Kimura and Sumie Kaneko - koto and shamisen, James Nyoraku Schlefer - shakuhachi
WEST Trifecta. Sarah Whitney - violin, Angela Pickett - viola, Laura Metcalf - cello
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A W.13th St. NYC Tickets and details: HERE

October 3, 7:00 pm
CONCERT FOR JAY REISE
Concert of the music of composer Jay Reise including his work for shakuhachi and string trio “Urushima Taro”
Rose Recital Hall, 3340 Walnut Street, University of Pennsylvania.
Info HERE

August 4, 2:00 pm
BREATHING PEACE
A gathering of well-known New York musicians coming together in a free concert to promote peace. Tenri Cultural Institute, NYC

July 19-21
WORKSHOPS AND LESSONS
A series of shakuhachi workshops and individual lessons in Washington D.C. For information and to register: HERE

July 15, 6:00 pm
DUO PERFORMANCE
Performance with Miwa Sasaki, koto, at the Crested Butte Music Festival, Crested Butte, Colorado.

Jun. 22, 3:30 pm
FANTAZÍA - World Premiere
World Premiere of Fantazía for Violin and Orchestra composed by James Nyoraku Schlefer. Christiano Rodrigues, violin; Jason Aylward, conductor; Texas Chamber Orchestra
Tickets & Info: http://festivalhill.org/calendar/details.php?id=3334

May 13, 8:00PM

SHAKUHACHI QUINTET
Performance of Paul Moravec’s Shakuhachi Quintet with the Access Contemporary Music Ensemble.

The concert features Steven Mackey’s piece Indigenous Instruments with three pieces combining western instruments with actual indigenous instruments from around the world. PLUS Peter Sculthorpe’s String Quartet No. 12 “From Ubirr” for digeridoo and string quartet, Jade for string quartet and pipa by Zhu Jian’er and Paul Moravec’s masterful Shakuhachi Quintet for shakuhachi and string quartet.

Davis Theater
4614 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Apr. 22,
1:00 pm

LUNCHTIME CONCERT
Solo performance of traditional and modern music.

Union College - Theatre TBA
Schenectady, NY

Apr. 14,
4:00 pm

KAMMERRAKU ANNIVERSARY
Cassatt String Quartet: Muneko Otani and Jennifer Leshnower, violins; Ah Ling Neu, viola; Elizabeth Anderson, cello; with Yoko Reikano Kimura, shamisen and voice; Sumie Kaneko, koto and voice; and James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi. The first of the 10th Anniversary septet concerts. World premieres by Schlefer and Daron Hagen, plus the Ravel quarte
TICKETS: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3613025
A KYO-SHIN-AN ARTS presentation

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A W.13th St, NYC

Apr. 11,
6:00 pm

CONCERT AND LECTURE
Solo performance and talk about the traditional music of shakuhachi. 

Hunter College
Lexington Ave and 68th St., NYC

Mar. 31,
4:00 pm

CHIDORI
Duo Performance with Yoko Reikano Kimura of this late Edo era classic. The annual concert of “Glories of the Japanese Music Heritage".
Free Concert
https://www.imjs-jchi.org/event/the-annual-concert-of-japanese-heritage-music-glories-of-japanese-music-heritage-xiv/

Miller Theatre, Columbia University
Broadway and 116th St., NYC

Mar. 13,
12:00 pm

HUB NEW MUSIC
This exciting, young quartet brings their own commissions with shakuhachi. Music by Chad Cannon, Takuma Itoh, Kojiro Umezaki, and Angel Lam (co-commission), plus quartets by Matthew Aucoin (world premiere) and Judd Greenstein. Earlier event: March 10 at Tenri Cultural Institute. 

St. Peter’s University
2641 John Fitzgerald Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ

Mar. 10,
4:00 pm

SPRING GREEN
Hub New Music: Michael Avitabile, flute; David Dziardziel, clarinet; Zenas Hsu, violin; Jesse Christensen, cello; and James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi. This exciting, young quartet brings their own commissions with shakuhachi to KSA. Quintets by Chad Cannon, Takuma Itoh, Sun-Young Park, and Angel Lam (co-commission), plus quartets by Pascal Le Boeuf and Yevgeniy Sharlat.
TICKETS: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3613017
A KYO-SHIN-AN ARTS presentation

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A W.13th St, NYC

Feb. 10,
4:00 pm

SNOWDROP MOMENT
The beautiful Japanese harp, kugo, disappeared from East Asia 1,000 years ago and from the Middle East 300 years ago. Harpist Tomoko Sugawara recreated the instrument from ancient images. The shakuhachi came to Japan from China in the 8th century, during the Tang Dynasty. Join Kyo-Shin-An Arts in a voyage of discovery and an afternoon of contemporary music for kugo, Western harp and shakuhachi. Music by Anne Boyd, Bun-Ching Lam, Kikuko Matsumoto, Michiyo Miyagi and more. Featuring world premieres by Yao Heng-lu and Robert Lombardo. 
TICKETS: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3613008
A KYO-SHIN-AN ARTS presentation

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A W.13th St, NYC2018

2018

Nov. 2,
6:00 pm

OVERSEAS
Guest performer with the “LESS IS MORE” String Quartet performing the music of Tada Yasunori. 
FREE CONCERT! INFO

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A W.13th St, New York CityOct. 28,
6:00 pm

CRIMSON LEAVES
NEAVE PIANO TRIO with James Nyoraku Schlefer, Shakuhachi
An incredibly international program featuring works for shakuhachi and piano trio by Iranian composer Amir Eslami and Hong-Kong based Adrian Hon Chung Lam plus a piano trio by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla. Neave Trio: Anna Williams, violin; Mikhail Veselov, cello; and Eri Nakamura, piano
TICKETS: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3601183
A KYO-SHIN-AN ARTS presentation

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A W.13th St, New York City

Sep. 30,
4:00 pm

CELLO-HACHI
the warm, sensuous tones of the cello and the haunting, earthy sounds of the shakuhachi flute, with internationally acclaimed cellist Kenneth Woods and James Nyoraku Schlefer on shakuhachi. This is a program of spellbinding duos for cello and shakuhachi featuring New York, American and World premieres by Michio Mamiya, Sophie Pope, and James Nyoraku Schlefer. 
SPECIAL GUEST: Shakuhachi Grand Master RILEY LEE will join the program to perform with Maestro Woods plus a classic solo honkyoku on his 3.6 shakuhachi.
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3592225
A KYO-SHIN-AN ARTS presentation

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A W.13th St, New York City

Aug. 2,
2:00 pm

SIDEWALK DANCES 
Performance with cellist Kenneth Woods of my composition “Sidewalk Dances’” during the four day World Shakuhachi Festival. http://wsf2018.com/

St. James Hatcham Building, Goldsmiths University of London
8 Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE14 6NW, UK

Jul. 10,
2:00 pm

JAPANESE GARDEN
Performance in the Rockies with Yoko Hiraoka on koto. This special performance will fature traditional and modern music for shakuhbachi and koto in a very beautiful setting in the mountains.

Crested Butte Music Festival
Crested Butte, Colorado

Jun. 16,
2:00 pm

PERFORMANCE WITH MUJUAN IN KYOTO
Traditional music for shakuhachi, koto and shamisen, with Kurahashi Yodo II, Philip Flaven , Ayako Kurahashi an others. HERE

Zuirin-In of Hyakumanben Chionji Temple
103 Tanaka Monzencho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8225, Japan

Jun. 9,
3:00 pm

BROOKLYN IN TOKYO
James. Nyoraku Schlefer, Bruce Huebner and Reison Kuroda on shakuhachi - Miyama McQueen-Tokita on koto - Muneko Otani on violin. 
http://gekkasha.jugem.jp/?cid=42174

Kissa Sakaiki
2-4, Daikyocho, Shinjuku-ku TOKYO

May 20,
4:00 pmROSE MUSIC
Celebrate the season with the melodic and percussive beauty of music for piano and Japanese instruments. Featuring duos by Mari Kimura, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Katsutoshi Nagasawa and Yumi Hara Cawkwell, plus a Kyo-Shin-An Arts commission from Douglas J. Cuomo for piano, shamisen and shakuhachi. Taka Kigawa, piano  Yoko Reikano Kimura, shamisen and koto  James Nyoraku Schefer, shakuhachiTenri Cultural Institute
43A West 13th Street

Apr. 16,
8:00 pm

CUTTING EDGE CONCERTS
Reprise of the April 15th concert with Sybarite5. 

Symphony Space
Broadway and 96th St., NYC

Apr. 15,
4:00 pmSAKURA SMASH
Cherry Blossoms have never been so much fun!
This concert features the amazing string quintet Sybarite5 and James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi, performing Paul Moravecs Shakuhachi Concerto and the premiere of a new sextet by Schlefer. The program will also feature the continued evolution of Rashomon, for shakuhachi and strings, by Victoria Bond and an additional composer to be selected by Sybarite5.Tenri Cultural Institute
43A West 13th Street

Mar. 31,
4:00 pm

GAGAKU/HOGAKU PERFORMANCE
Performance of Toshi Ichinayagi’s “Transformation of Flowers” with Hidejiro Honjo (shamisen) Yoko Reikano Kimura (koto) and myself. Plus Gagaku and new and old music for Japanese instruments. FREE concert.

Miller Theatre
Columbia University, Broadway at 116th St. NYC

Mar. 3,
6:00 pm

WHAT ABOUT THE...   SHAKUHACHI?
Grand Master James Nyoraku Schlefer will perform contemporary and traditional Zen music for solo shakuhachi and deconstruct the techniques, sounds, breathing, and other characteristics that make this music special.

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A W.13th St
Tickets $10 at the door

Feb. 25,
4:00 pmKAMMERRAKU FROST
Elegant music for string quartet with shamisen and shakuhachi. The Voxare String Quartet with James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi and Yoko Reikano Kimura, shamisen performing String Journey for shamisen and quartet by Schlefer and Floating Bridge of Heaven for shakuhachi, shamisen and quartet by Donald Womack. Plus string quartets TBD.Tenri Cultural Institute
43A West 13th StreetJan. 27,
1:00 pm

DUO CONCERT
Performance with koto virtuoso Mitsu Daizi. Music to include classic and contemporary music for shakuhachi amd koto. Details to follow.

Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR

Jan. 25,
7:30 pm

CONCERT OF SHAKUHACHI HONKYOKU
Solo performance at Willamette University plus lectures. Details to follow. 

Wilamette University
Salem, OR2017

2017

Nov. 19,
4:00 pm

EXPLODING CHRYSANTHEMUMS
Wondferful program with newly commissioned music for shakuhachi with piano, violin, cello and soprano. ”, Kathleen Supové, piano; Jennifer Choi, violin; Wendy Law, cello; James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi; and Jennifer Aylmer, soprano. World premieres by Aleksandra Vrebalov (piano trio. shakuhachi and soprano), Douglas J. Cuomo (cello and shakuhachi) and Ciara Cornelius (soprano, shakuhachi and cello), the reprise of Randall Woolf’s Hollow (piano trio and shakuhachi), and songs for piano and soprano.

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A W.13th St, NYC

May 21,
4:00 pm

SAKURA TEA
A program of traditional and contemporary music for Japanese instruments and cello featuring Yoko Reikano Kimura, koto and shamisen; Sumie Kaneko, koto and shamisen; James Nyoraku Schlefer, shakuhachi and Hikaru Tamaki, cello. Including Daron Hagen’s “Misterioso” for koto and cello.

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A West 13th Street, NYC

Apr. 23,
4:00 pm

KAMMERRAKU MOMENT
Performance with the Ciompi String Quartet. Music for shakuhachi and string quartet by Charles Porter and Mark Nowakowski. Plus Beethoven Op. 131.

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A West 13th Street, NYC

Apr. 22,
4:00 pm

GEMS OF JAPANESE MUSIC
Performance with Yoko Reikano Kimura of traditional music.
DETAILS HERE

Center for Remembering and Sharing
123 4th Ave. NYC

Apr. 14,
2:30 pm

LECTURE AND PERFORMANCE
Performing and speaking about the music of shakuhachi. Histortical, contemporary, anectodotal. Techniques for composition.

Manhattan School of Music
122nd St and Broadway

Apr. 2,
4:00 pm

PERFORMANCE OF NEW MUSIC 
Annual concert of Gagaku and new music for Japanese instruments. Free concert wih registration
DETAILS HERE

Miller Theatre at Columbia University
116th St. and Broadway, NYC

Mar. 26,
4:00 pm

KAMMERRAKU SNOW
Performance with the Cassatt String Quartet and Yoko Reikano Kimura (koto) featuring the World Premiere of new works by Yoko Sato and Ciara Cornelius. Also music of Somei Satoh, Sebastion Currier and Tina Davidson.

Tenri Cultural Institute
43A W.13th St, NYC

Mar. 12,
4:00 pm

TREE TOP MUSIC FESTIVAL
Performance with Yoko Reikano Kimura and the Cassatt String Quartet. Music of Michio Miyagi, Yoko Sato, Beethoven 
DETAILS CLICK HERE

First Presbyterian Church
Stamford, Connecticut

Feb. 16,
6:00 pm

LECTURE
Lecture and performance on shakuhachi.

Columbia University, NYC

Jan. 15,
2:00 pm

REQUIEM AT CARNEGIE HALL
Performance of Karl Jenkins’ “Requiem” for orchestra, chorus, soloists and... shakuhachi.