CO-FOUNDER

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Born and raised in Hokkaido, Japan, Sakurako Jayne Abe is a Japanese-Canadian collaborative pianist whose artistic endeavor expands to the U. S., Canada, and Europe. After completing her position as a pianist/coach at the Merola Opera Program in the summer of 2026, Jayne currently resides in Vienna, Austria as one of the pianists of the Opera Studio of the Vienna State Opera for the 2026-28 season. Specializing in opera repertoire, Jayne has been involved in productions such as Ariadne auf Naxos, where she also performed the piano section in the orchestra, la Tragedie de Carmen, Cosi Fan Tutte, L’elisir d’amore, An American Dream and The Crucible. While her main focus is in operatic repertoire, chamber music, art songs, and instrumental collaborations still hold a special place in her heart.

Instagram: @sakurakojayne_abe

CO-FOUNDER/PRODUCER, PERFORMER, ADMINISTRATOR

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Chihiro Yasufuku is a promising fresh vocalist of Japanese descent, currently based in Tkarón:to. With a background of 20 years of study as a violinist which eventually expanded its roots to singing, Chihiro is an active soprano, actor and collaborator in opera, theatre and workshop spaces. Recognized for her immersed stage presence, she has most recently lived in the shoes of Erste Dame (Die Zauberflöte), Nausicaa (Castaway), and Cathleen (Riders to the Sea). Fall 2026 will see her as Yuki in the world premiere performance of Stratford’s Reimu, for which she also serves as co-librettist. A graduate of the University of Toronto Faculty of Music, Chihiro holds a B.Mus with Honours in Vocal Performance and a M.Mus in Opera Performance.

Instagram: @chihirosounds

PRODUCER, COMPOSER, PERFORMER

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Born in Izumisano City, Japan, Kento Stratford (b. 1997) leads a diverse artistic practice throughout Canada and beyond. Drawing from his own Japanese Canadian heritage, Kento’s music inhabits a sonic world balanced between two contrasting traditions: one forward-moving, consumptive, and grandiose, the other understated, reductive, and temporally unbound. His works are inspired by a wide range of personal interests spanning everything from science fiction to ancient medicine. Kento’s works have been performed and commissioned by a diverse group of artists and ensembles, including most recently: babεl, Great Lakes Philharmonics Orchestra, Da Capo Chamber Choir, Odin String Quartet, HAVEN Trio, Sirius Piano Duo, Concreamus Chamber Choir, and thereminist Thorwald Jorgensen. Kento splits his time between many professional artistic endeavours as a composer, conductor, keyboardist, writer, poet, and chef. 

Instagram: @kentostratford

PERFORMER

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Ryoko Hou is a distinguished collaborative pianist and harpsichordist whose performances captivate audiences with an expansive repertoire that spans from the Middle Ages to contemporary works. Renowned for her artistry and profound musical sensitivity, she has graced prestigious venues across England, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, and Canada. Ryoko holds an Advanced Certificate in Piano Performance and a Master of Music in both Collaborative Piano and Harpsichord with a full scholarship. Currently, she is studying regularly under Dr. Luc Beausejour in Montreal pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Toronto. Her musical achievements have been recognized through esteemed accolades, including the Dame Emma Kirkby and Suzie LeBlanc Award, Richard Phillips Graduate Scholarship. With unwavering passion and dedication, she continues to elevate the art of collaborative music, seamlessly bridging historical and contemporary traditions.

Instagram: @ryokohou

VISUAL ARTIST

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Ellen Tan is a Toronto-based visual artist and engineering designer. In her work, she draws on the sentiment behind topics such as alienation, womanhood, and self-identity to connect with her viewers through the use of colours and imagery. She enjoys creating expressive portraits of characters with telling gazes and seeks to portray beauty in the themes she is exploring. Tan is constantly exploring a variety of media with a focus on acrylic paint, ink, and mixed media (past work is available for viewing in digital portfolio). During her education in visual art, she participated in the production of joint-performances between different art disciplines at the Flato Markham Theatre.

Instagram: @yltan_art