The Masako Project

Masako Hockey joins with former Victoria Symphony Principal Percussionist David Humphrey to present music for marimba, vibraphone, and various other percussion instruments.

Born in Tokyo, Masako received her formal training from two of Japan's foremost music schools: her Masters Degree (MA) in Music Performance at the renowned Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku (Tokyo National University of Fine Arts & Music), and her undergraduate degree from the Musashino Academia Musicae.

She has performed in a wide variety of musical situations, from major symphony orchestras (New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra), to opera houses and theater groups (such as Chushingura by Shigeaki Saegusa, conducted by Otomo Naoto – Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, 1997). In 1999 Masako was a member of the Tokyo Pipe Band, competing in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. The following year, she was Japan's only female Scottish rudimental pipe band snare drummer to win a major scholarship award in drumming (Tacoma, Washington).

Masako is a licensed music teacher in Japan, having provided instruction for both Junior and High School students throughout the country, and private lessons for children from her studio in Sayama City. Currently, Masako performs regularly with several ensembles in Victoria, including the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and the new music group Aventa Ensemble.

The Masako Project features the following repertoire:

Fanfare for Tambourines (two tambourines)
Chick Corea - Children's Music (marimba & vibraphone)
Steve Reich - Clapping Music (hand clapping duet)
Dorantes - Gallardo (Flamenco piece for marimba & drum set)
Snare Drum Duet (including back sticking!)
Marimba Spiritual (Marimba & Taiko drum)