A blend of two cultural perspectives, where European and Japanese instruments unite in song
Unknown Mirrors is the unlikely yet sublime combination of European and Japanese instruments: koto and recorder. With songs inspired by a love of nature, childhood memories and imagined landscapes, their music is energetic, blissful and embracing.
A popular Japanese instrument, the koto evokes the simple, elegant beauty of ancient and modern Japan. Miyama McQueen-Tokita draws on her Australian-Japanese background to express a sound that connects past with present, using traditional and contemporary playing and vocal techniques. The recorder is familiar to many Australians, but in the hands of daring and playful virtuoso Ryan Williams, this baroque instrument becomes a vessel of energetic and emotional musical expression.
The two internationally acclaimed performers present a program comprising original music and adventurous improvisations, transporting audiences to places both new and nostalgic. Inspired by contemporary classical, folk, alternative pop, traditional Japanese and baroque, Unknown Mirrors shows that tradition continuously evolves and is endlessly creative.
90 mins including short interval. Format and length are flexible, and can be adjusted to suit the presenter.
Setup / Bump In Duration
90 mins
Pack Down / Bump Out Duration
40 mins
Warnings:
None
Performance Fee
$2,400
Does this fee include travel costs
No
Royalties % (if applicable): Community Presenters.
N/A
Breakdown of Royalites
N/A
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
The format and length of the show is flexible and can include educational elements geared towards children and/or adults, demonstrating the instruments and their stories.
Unknown Mirrors has performed at Moers Festival in Germany, Osaka World Expo 2025 with Kutcha Edwards and the Australian Art Orchestra and Shinjuku Pit Inn in Tokyo, among various other festivals and venues across Australia and Japan.
Before continuing, please ensure you meet all five eligibility criteria listed above.
Applications that do not meet these criteria cannot be funded.
Regional Arts Victoria acknowledges and pays respect to the Traditional Owners and Elders – past and present – of the lands on which Regional Arts Victoria operates. We acknowledge that sovereignty was not ceded. We acknowledge Aboriginal connection to cultural and creative practice for more than 65,000 years on the lands that we work on and extend our respect to First Nations people throughout the communities where we live and work.
