MICHELLE KWAN & BUSHIDO
January 25, 2025
ABOUT THE SHOW
Tonight is a magical evening as two artists bring the exhilarating musical instruments from East Asia onto Evergreen’s stage. Michelle Kwan is back at Evergreen to ignite the audience with her traditional and contemporary performances on the Chinese Guzheng instrument with a mixture of traditional Chinese music as well as unique covers from well known artists such Guns & Roses, Metallica and Adele.
Bushido, a Vancouver/Sunshine Coast based duo of Japanese folk-inspired musicians, has travelled to Evergreen for the first time for their upbeat, heart pounding performances of wa-gakki, traditional Japanese instruments, guaranteed to transport you to both ancient and modern Japan.
BUSHIDO | Bushido - 節童 ”Children of Song”, is the Vancouver/Sunshine Coast based duo of Japanese folk-inspired musicians who play wa-gakki, Japanese traditional instruments. As their name implies, their approach to music is in a child-like way, deeply embodying the spirit of joy and experimentation in the process. Bushido’s music has a wide range of moods, dynamics, and characters. Sometimes very festive and uplifting like Japanese festivals. Other times very meditative and spiritual. Their expressions through Japanese traditional musical instruments will transport you to ancient Japan and to our modern world…and deep within.
Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos is a master of the legendary shakuhachi bamboo zen flute of Japan) and a multi-instrumentalist who has dedicated his life to learning Japanese musical instruments.
Nori Akagi is a multi-instrumentalis, taiko drummer, and percussionist who has been exploring a variety of percussion styles around the world for many years, but has been embracing his Japanese identity deeper than ever.
MICHELLE KWAN | Michelle Kwan is a trailblazing musician whose mastery of the traditional Chinese harp transcends borders and genres. With roots deeply embedded in the rich tapestry of Chinese musical traditions, Michelle weaves together Western and Asian influences, creating a mesmerizing fusion sound that captivates audiences worldwide.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Michelle began her musical journey on the 21 stringed Chinese harp at a young age. Although she was trained classically on the guzheng, she also had a love for North American mainstream music. Inspired by both classical Chinese melodies and contemporary Western sounds, Michelle embarked on a quest to redefine the boundaries of the ancient Chinese harp. She began her own Youtube channel and has now gained over 2,000,000 views. Her guzheng covers has been featured on various media including Guitar World, GlobalTV, CBC and Huffington Post. Michelle is also a guzheng teacher and is passionate about educating students the art of playing the Chinese harp.
Blending the ethereal tones of the guzheng with elements of pop and rock, Michelle crafts a unique sonic landscape that transcends cultural divides. Prepare to listen to her innovative arrangements that breathe new life into familiar melodies while introducing audiences to the enchanting sounds of this ancient instrument in unexpected contexts.
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