Shoko Araya
She performs extensively on an international level and is not only an outstanding classical performer but also a naturally gifted improviser.
Together with Christopher Hardy, Araya formed the Chris and Shoko Percussion Duo, a Tokyo-based international percussion duo that is widely recognized for its musical achievements and captivating audiences with its exciting and creative performances of percussion music.
Araya has performed with Eitetsu7 Hayashi, Nakaido "CHABO" Reichi, Hidetaro Honjo, John Neptune, Masataka Hirano, Kazumi Watanabe and Shuichi Hidano.
Percussionist Shoko Araya is a highly acclaimed marimba artist, percussion performer, composer and educator. Upon graduation from the Kunitachi College of Music, she received the Takeoka Prize and was also awarded the 2nd prize in the Japan Wind and Percussion Concours.
Selected for a scholarship through the Asian culture Council for further study in the United States, Araya then went on to receive a Masters Degree in Percussion from the University of Michigan.
Featured as a marimba soloist at the Patras International Festival in Greece and the Taipei International Percussion Convention in Taiwan.
Her teachers include Tomoyuki Okada, Michael Udow, Yoshihisa Mizuno, Midori Takada and Bob Becker.
In addition to being on the percussion faculty at The Kunitachi College of Music and Showa Conservatory of Music, Araya is a highly regarded consultant and composer for music school texts published by Ongaku No Tomo.