Pencil

Here is a sketch photo of the sisters last week. Tomorrow they spend
the afternoon in Sendai practicing with their group for Aomori
national competition.

Cherry Blossom Party

Tonight the sisters played in downtown Yamagata city at a beautiful traditional inn called the Chitose-kan. You can see the lit up cherry blossoms outside the window.

Kimono changing

Shana's Mom dresses her in kimono for tonight's performance. It takes
a long time to dress the three sisters each time.

Meeting the audience

The hotel guests in their Yukata gather around the sisters for
pictures. Because the sisters are American and Japanese speakers
playing a Japanese instrument, they can make a connection with their
audience. This is one of the main reasons why they play the shamisen,
for intercultural exchange.

And finally...

The sisters wrap up today's performances. They don't want to go to
school tomorrow!

Wrap up

The sisters warm up backstage before going out for another performance
at Koyo Hotel.

Sakura Performance

The sisters played outdoors in Yamagata-city today with the cherry blossoms in full display today. It was a bright and sunny day. We really enjoyed meeting different people and promoting the tsugaru shamisen. Ironically, the group that went on before, was a group of Japanese girls dancing to American hip-hop while the sisters performed in kimono playing traditional Japanese tsugaru shamisen music ! Reverse international exchange!

Sendai again

The sisters are in Sendai again for a lesson with their sensei. It
takes about 2 hours one way from Yamagata. They've been doing this for
4 years!

Barbeque

Shana, Kyla and friend roast marshmellows at a barbeque this evening.

Nice view

On a morning walk just above the sisters house in the foothills
of Mt Zao, you can see central Yamagata city through the cherry trees.
The cherry trees are in full bloom now and the sisters will be
performing underneath them this weekend.

Help

Brenna helps Shana with her practice. The sisters practice almost
everyday. Because they have frequent performances, it forces them to
practice together a lot.

Dog Practice

Kyla gets encouragement from her two Labrador Retrievers at tonights
practice. The loud sound doesn't bother them. The black one "Mac" is a
Japan Champion Show dog.

Improving

Kyla, Brenna and Shana play the last song of the evening in front of quite a few hotel guests in Yamagata. It is really good study for them to play regularly on stage. Kyla is getting comfortable speaking and introducing her the sisters (in Japanese of course).

Almost show time

The sisters are rehearsing before going out on stage tonight. It's a
beautiful hotel lobby with fresh flowers.

Zao

Shana throws a stick in the lake to her Labradors. There is still some
snow on Zao.

Group

Kyla and Brenna practice with other jr. members for the Aomori Takai
in Sendai today.

Prepare

Brenna practices for the upcoming Aomori National Competition in May.
She has to change her solo to last 2:30 minutes from 2:00 minutes in
the last competition.

Congratulations Kyla!

Kyla placed in the finals of the general adult division! She was the
youngest one! The sisters are tired after a long day.

Result

Brenna displays her awards for placing 3rd overall in the Taikai. Kyla
will be playing later on today.

Congratulations Brenna!

Brenna placed 3rd overall in the Tokyo Tsugaru Shamisen Competition !
She is receiving her award in this photo. Shana just missed the finals.

Kyla warm up

Kyla warms up for her turn on stage.

Brenna's turn

Brenna walks out of back stage after just finishing her solo at the
competition. Now Shana and Brenna must wait about an hour to see if
they placed in the finals or not. The overall winner will not be
announced until about 5:00pm . Next, Kyla competes in the general
division at about 3pm. Be back soon...

Shana first

Shana just finished her solo. Brenna will be next at about noon.

Tokyo

The sisters are at the Tokyo national tsugaru shamisen competition
this morning.

Tokyo Giants

The sisters wait for the start of the Giants game at Tokyo Dome. They
received tickets compliments of Alex Ramirez of the Giants! Thank you
Rami-chan!

Shibuya

The sisters are shopping in Shibuya this morning.

Last lesson

Shana is getting a lesson from her teacher in this photo. All three
sisters had one last lesson before leaving for Tokyo for the national
competition.