Press conference photos...

Here are a few photos from the press conference we did this past week, to launch the tv series Arashi Daiko (the taiko group JF and I are members of) is featured in, called La Symphonie du Nouveau Monde. Photos are all clickable for detail, taken by Marie-Loic Senamaud (merci beaucoup!).

Welcoming in the journalists... (that's my big mouth)

Jean-François and I on the odaiko, or "big drum". Note JF's "taiko face."

Truly an honour to perform with these amazing musicians (and all wonderful people too!) from Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chad and Morocco. I had a lump in my throat every time H'sao, the four siblings from Chad (next to us in the front row), would start to sing. Musical director Luc Boivin is in the middle, right in front (dressed in black) - he's the best!

We're looking forward to a live show we'll be doing on May 25th, with musicians from all 12 episodes of this tv series, which will be filmed and broadcast as the 13 and final episode of the series. La Symphonie du Nouveau Monde, or From the New World, was composed by Antonin Dvorak in 1893, who was greatly inspired by the Native American music and African American gospel music he heard while visiting the U.S. from 1892-1895, as well as the cultural diversity he was witness to.

The very cultural diversity celebrated in this symphony is the theme of this television series, reflected in the musicians and types of music featured. Everyone is so talented! Nervously looking forward to May 25th ☺
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Don't forget to enter my 100th post giveaway! Just add your comment about my Etsy shop (what you like, what needs work etc...) on Friday April 25th's post, and you will be entered to win the Sakura so Bright necklace. Easy-peasy! Winner announced at 7pm on Tuesday, April 29th.