As a doctoral fellow with the Japan Foundation, Chris Molina is spending the academic year in Japan, researching the use of traditional Japanese instruments in contemporary music. He is based in Kawasaki at the Contemporary Hōgaku Institute at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, collaborating with faculty members Kenji Yamaguchi (shakuhachi), Kōhei Nishikawa (fue), Tetsuya Nozawa (shamisen), Nobuto Yamanaka (tsugaru shamisen), Sachiko Yoshihara (koto) and Shinpei Tomita (taiko). A concert of his works was recorded at Kanack Hall in Yokohama on March 1st 2019, and a joint recital with UH alumnus Marty Regan featuring both composers’ works will be held at Kannai Hall on May 24th 2019.
In addition to his composing, Chris is partnering with Professor Yōko Narazaki of the Musashino Academia Musicae in order to further his research on composer Tõru Takemitsu. His upcoming concerts with shakuhachi include events at Bunkyõ University, Kanagawa Prefectural Center, and Sumida Triphony Hall.
