Kaori Okado

Kaori Okado in Javanese court dance costume

5451 Redding Rd. San Diego, CA 92115 (619) 583-0963

Professional Work

2000 Center for World Music

Teacher of Balinese Gamelan and Dance, Javanese Gamelan, Japanese Taiko Drumming and Shakuhachi (bamboo flute), and Svaroopa Yoga in the Center’s World Music in the Schools program Gamelan player and musical accompanist to I Nyoman Sumandhi, Balinese shadow-puppeteer.

1999 Durfee Foundation China Grant recipient

Studied Chinese lithophones and traditional music for 6 months at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music, Wuhan, Hubei, PRC. Traveled entire Northern route of the Chinese Silk Road

1998 Taikoza, Japanese Taiko Drum Ensemble

Lead Drummer

Taught Taiko to homeless and orphaned children at Arts Connection, NY NY

Major Performances Include: Yass Hakoshima's Night in a Buddhist Monastery (JPAC), Macy's Thanksgiving Parade ‘98

1994-1998 The Batu Gita Ensemble

Co-Director

Chief Choreographer

built orchestra of pitched percussion instruments from stone

Performer at the Percussive Arts International Convention, Anaheim, 1997

Featured in several national newspapers and magazines

1991-1992 Los Angeles Choreographers & Dancers Company

Dancer

1986-1991 Tanzwut Dance Company, Nagoya, Japan

Dancer

Company dance instructor

Major Choreographic Works

1995 Rock Songs and Dances

1996 3Haiku3

1997 Ninidhok

Education

1995 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Modern Dance California Institute of the Arts

1990 Associate of Arts in English Literature Kinjo Gakuin College, Japan

Extended Studies

1998 Certified Svaroopa Yoga Teacher Master Yoga Academy, La Jolla, CA

1994 Modern Dance, at the Martha Graham School

(received full scholarship)

1999 Shakuhachi, under Mori Kozan

1993-96 Javanese Dance under I Nyoman Wenten,

1993-2000 Balinese Dance under Nanik Wenten, Ni Putu Sutiati and I

Nyoman Sumandhi,

1993-1996 Javanese Gamelan under Pak Djoko Walujo,

Balinese Gamelan under I Nyoman Wenten

Language

Japanese, Native Fluency

English, Fluent

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