Reflections offers music for voice, shakuhachi, koto and shamisen, a contemporary Australian take on Japanese melodies and new compositions by three leading performers of instruments deeply rooted in Japanese tradition: a sonic celebration of our Australia/Japan connections.

Noriko Tadano, plays shamisen, a long-necked fretless Japanese lute with three-strings. Noriko has become a virtuoso in the instrument that she first picked up as a six year old—performing traditional songs, her own compositions and improvisations.

Koto player, Brandon Lee fell in love with the sound of the Japanese koto, after one hearing, as a school student in his home in Malaysia. Unable to find a teacher there, he came to Australia in search of an instrument and a teacher and became involved with the Japanese music studies at Monash University. Since then, and after years studying with a teacher in Japan, he has become highly regarded as a player, teacher and composer.

Anne Norman has played the Japanese end blown bamboo flute for many years. She is recognised internationally for her work and has been commissioned to provide work in Australia and in many other countries. Her repertoire extends from traditional Japanese pieces to new contemporary work, some developed in collaboration with other artists, some entirely original. She is acknowledged for her dedicated and adventurous musicality.