St Michael's Uniting Church on Collins St, Melbourne - Upcoming Events

Noriko Tadano plays both traditional Japanese folk songs (Minyo) as well as original pieces on the Tsugaru Shamisen (Japanese Banjo).  She has been playing Shamisen since she was 6 years old and has performed in Japan, Europe, Canada, Tonga and at festivals and events all over Australia.

Noriko’s recent achievements include the ‘2009 Head Judge’s Special Award’ at the National Japanese Shamisen Competition held in Hirosaki, Japan, a solo performance at the Sydney Opera House and a number of dynamic shows at the International WOMADelaide world music festival with George Kamikawa in 2010.  She also performed on the popular ABC music quiz TV show ‘Spicks and Specks’ in February 2010.  Noriko has also just appeared in the Final of ‘Australia’s Got Talent’.

Born into one of India's greatest flute-playing families, award-winning Bansuri (flute) virtuoso Vinod Prasanna shines as an outstanding performer of authentic traditional and contemporary Indian music, and as heir to the musical treasure of his ancestors. Vinod's emotive melodies, exquisite improvisations and divine flute song distinguish his performance of Indian classical, world and meditation music. Simply, Indian music at its finest.

Currently residing in Australia, Vinod is a performing and recording artist, teacher, craftsman and ambassador of the Bansuri.  Vinod continues a family legacy which celebrates more than two-and-a-half centuries of Indian music. From the royal courts of old to the modern music stage, the Prasanna family has performed and taught the Bansuri and Shenai for generations. Vinod hails from Varanasi, regarded as one of India's holiest cities.