Artist Miki Yokoyama, who lost her house in the Altadena fire, displayed her paintings.
“Send Your Love” was the theme of a benefit concert for wildfire relief held recently at the Salvation Army building in Torrance.
The showcase for young musicians and singers was presented by Tulips in Harmony as part of its Charity Concert Series established after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Proceeds went to the education program in the fire disaster area.
Miki Yokoyama, an artist originally from Fukushima, was one of the speakers and displayed her paintings in the lobby. She and her family survived the Altadena fire in January but lost everything overnight, including nearly her entire life’s work. She is starting to create her art again.
Naoshige Aoshima, deputy consul general of Japan in Los Angeles, delivered greetings. Mai Takeuchi of Tulips in Harmony served as emcee.
Performers were as follows:
Double Concerto BWV 1060 for Two Oboes by J.S. Bach. Oboe: Dora Lee and Jacob HuPerkins. Basso continuo: Diana Parmeter. Piano: Minami Suda.
Romance No. 1 from Three
Romances Op. 22, No. 1 by Clara Schumann. English horn: Naomi Ozawa. Piano: Minami Suda.
“Quiet City” by Aaron Copeland. Trumpet: Caster J. Teoh. English horn: Naomi Ozawa. Piano: Minami Suda.
Vocalise Op. 34, No. 14 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Violin: Airi Ozawa. Piano: Minami Suda.
“Fantasie Pastorale” by Eugene Bozza. Oboe: Dora Lee. Piano: Minami Suda.
Concerto in C by Landon Kroon (world premiere). Trumpet: Caster J. Teoh. Cello: Diana Parmeter. Piano: Landon Kroon.
Kidz Minyo Station by Matsutoyo Kai performed:
“Souma Bon Uta” from Fukushima Prefecture. Vocal: Mina Petrolia.
“Hiroshima Kiyari Ondo.”
Vocals: Miki and Naomi Chen.
“Okiiwai Ondo” from Shimane Prefecture. Vocals: Huuka and Aki Hirahara.
“Yosakoi Soran Bushi” (fishermen’s dance). Vocals: Marisa Kosugi, Ryoko Kobori, Matsutoyo-Natsu Sato. Shamisen: Matsutoyo-Miki Sato, Marisa Kosugi, Eric Chen, Matsutoyo-Hibikino Sato. Shaker and hayashi: Matsutoyo-Natsu Sato, Akane Kobori, Saika Hirahara, Momone Hirahara. Flute: Keiko Okamoto. Piano: Naomi Ozawa. Bass: Akira Norose. Drums: Ryoko Shoda. Dancers: Team L.A. Yosakoi Soran.
El Marino Japanese Chorus sang “Sing, Bang Bang! (Utae Ban Ban),” “Name of Life” (Inochi no Namae), “My Country” (Furusato) and “It’s a Small World” (Chiisana Sekai). Director: Aiko Fukushima. Piano: Kae Matsumoto Black.
North Torrance Young Musicians Ensemble or nTyme, conducted by Maestro Leonard Narumi, performed “Norwegian Dances 2 and 3” by Edvard Grieg and “How to Train Your Dragon” by John Powell. The ensemble consisted of flute, oboe, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone, French horn, bassoon, violin, trumpet, trombone, percussion, viola, cello and piano.
Everyone was invited to sing “Hana wa Saku” (Flowers Will Bloom), a charity song released in 2012 to help victims of the Tohoku earthquake.
Tulips in Harmony, which serves the community with performances and services related to music education, is led by Naomi Ozawa (president), Seiko Kuribayashi (treasurer) and Mai Takeuchi (secretary).
— J.K. Yamamoto