Sally  /Shiori Sakurai

“In her workshop, it doesn’t matter the age, nationality and all borders are excluded. There is no limit to the creative and improvised space, and people become one. She is one of the future musicians who knows for sure how to get the most out of music. “ 

Hello everyone. I'm Sally سالي ♪

Shiori Sakurai is a highly accomplished musician and music workshop leader based in Japan. She graduated from the Piano Department of Toho Gakuen School of Music, where she studied under the tutelage of Ikuyo Nakamichi. Throughout her career, she has won numerous awards in national and international music competitions and has further honed her skills in Salzburg, London, and Munich.

In 2019, she participated in the Cabinet Office's "Ship for World Youth Leaders" (SWY32), where she conducted music workshops with 240 participants from 11 countries, promoting international cultural exchange.

In 2012, Shiori founded "Otomic," a music workshop artist group. The group has conducted approximately 400 performances, involving over 30,000 participants ranging from infants to seniors. It was formally registered as an informal organization in 2021 and established as the General Incorporated Association IROHAMO in 2024.

In 2014, Shiori was selected as a trainee for Casa da Música in Portugal. Following her training, she was appointed as a workshop leader for the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Foundation's "Music Program TOKYO Workshop Workshop! International Collaboration Project."

In 2023, she led the music workshop "UMI2.0," which was recognized as an official cultural program by the Japanese Embassy in Portugal to commemorate the 480th anniversary of diplomatic relations. She was also invited to the European Capital of Culture Tartu2024, where she conducted music programs with students in Tartu, Estonia.

Her programs have been adopted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs for school touring performances in 2023 and 2024, and she also participated in the Agency's "Universal Project" in 2024. Shiori is actively involved in emceeing children's concerts, having collaborated with prestigious orchestras such as the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and the Pacific Philharmonia Tokyo.

Currently, Shiori serves as a Music Workshop Leader at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, the Artist Director at the General Incorporated Association IROHAMO, and a Coordinator for the Public Hall Music Activation Project by the Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities.

Shiori Sakurai continues to create opportunities for international cooperation and artistic growth through her extensive experience and dedication to music education and cultural exchange.

Music is: 

・No communication or language barriers

・Making new relationships and collaborations

・Everyone is welcome. Regardless of age or disabilities

So let’s go beyond the barriers and 

Do Music together!!

-Achievements-

・Tokyo Bunka Kaikan 『Workshop Workshop!』 International collaboration project with Casa da musica in Portugal

https://www.t-bunka.jp/en/host-stage/workshop.html

・Establish Music Workshop band『Otomic』

https://www.otomic-artist.com/

・『Family Orchestra』with BBC Symphony Orchestra 

・『Discovery for 2020』with London Symphony Orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL9p-1dzZ40

・『Children's Music Atelier』by La Folle Journée TOKYO

・『Science×Music Collaboration』workshop by TOSHIBA Science Museum

・『Music Workshop Tour』Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs for special needs schools

・『COVID-19 Special Support Project 』On-line concert by Sony Music Foundation 

 “HELLO! Mr.Beethoven!!”

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_oKeZ1Gegs&t=1s

・In 2023, the music workshop "UMI2.0" was recognized as an official cultural program by the Japanese Embassy in Portugal to commemorate the 480th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

・In 2024, Shiori was invited to the European Capital of Culture Tartu2024, where she conducted music programs with students at the Tartu Raatuse School in Tartu, Estonia.

・For the fiscal years 2023 and 2024, Otomic's programs were adopted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs for the "School Touring Performances," conducting music workshops and participatory concerts in elementary schools across Japan.

・In the fiscal year 2024, Otomic's programs were also selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs' "Universal Project."