Ushio Torikai

Ushio Torikai is Japanese composer based in New York who is most widely recognized for hercontemporary classical music. At an early age she began playing the violin and the piano, in addition to the traditional Japanese instruments the koto and shamisen. She has also worked with computer and electronically generated music as well, drawing from Western and Eastern musical canons in her compositions. Torikai has performed internationally in many major cities and has received commissions from the Japan National Theater, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, the City of Los Angeles, The Canadian Electronic Ensemble, and many other institutions around the world. She first performed in 1987 at The Kitchen, as part of a concert of contemporary Japanese music.