The Dana Hanchard Group is the name of the band of musicians who have worked with me over the last 6-7 years in Japan playing my music. There have been many different musicians whose have contributed at different times during this period and to whom i am grateful for their help in bringing this music to life. The current members are: guitarist, Kazu Michishita/ bassists, Osamu Koichi and Riyu Kawamura, percussionist, Chris Hardy and singer Yuka Deguchi. We have played regularly at Dolphy in Yokohama, the Cotton Club in Tokyo, Motion Blue in Yokohama, Sometime in Kichijioji, JZ Brat in Tokyo and more recently at the Shinjuku Pit-Inn.
ENSEMBLE NINGEN
I left NYC in 2003 to help design and launch a vocal course at the jazz college at Senzoku Gakuen which was in Yokohama at the time. It was a 4 month appointment that lasted 7 years. In this time at the school, i started teaching an ensemble class in which we explored music from around the world. A few of the students participated in the work of the class for several years and they began to perform with me, learning my songs and arrangements as well. This group evolved into ENSEMBLE NINGEN. They have performed with me at various concerts and peace events in Japan and will perform this year in Hiroshima for the world peace gathering held every year on the anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city, August 6.
REYKODO 麗光道
Miya and Dana and dancer, Rena Kodama at Kominka Jazz 11/09(above)
Miya on flute, Dana on sun at the Treehouse Mt. Takao 11/09(smaller shot at left above).
Dana on bamboo flute at Kominka Jazz 11/09
麗光道 -REYKODO began at a traditional Japanese ceremony at Mt. Fuji’s Yama Jinja, among 1,000 year old cedar trees with the spirit of Tengu presiding. We play wherever we are called to play, at shrines and waterfalls and in concert.
We are three women with the same intention, to open and align with the energies of the special places where we find ourselves on this 'beautiful road of light' which is the meaning of REYKODO.
KOKORO
please click below to see an 11 minute video of art/music exhibition kokoro
Kokorobegan when i first smelled sage wafting from some hidden corner of Mizonokuchi in Kawasaki where i had been living. I tracked the scent to a second level studio in a nearby urban oasis compound. The studio, at that time, of Hokkaido born and Ainu inspired artist, vkiko. meetiing her in the beautiful environment she creates, i felt i was meeting family long, long forgotten and well beloved.
I was asked by Senzoku Gakuen to do a concert for a Tokyo series in 2008. and I invited vkiko to collaborate with me on the show. The result was KOKORO which means 'heart' in Japanese. i wrote music to which vkiko painted beautiful universes of trees, butterflies and blackbirds to songs inspired by the same. it was presented as a live concert and exhibition twice in 2008 on September 25 at the Kawai 'Pause' Salon in Omotesando and December 14 at MUSEUM TOKYO in Ogikubo, both in Tokyo ( the latter being a charity event for a Kenyan, orphan's support organization 'Go Fishnet').
RADIYOGA
RADIYOGA is a 4 minute daily yoga program developed by Ken Harakuma, the Director of the International Yoga Center of Tokyo. The above image is taken from an article about RADIYOGA that appeared in Tokyo Yogini magazine in 2007. i have written the music and sing and perform this song on the instructional recording which is available for downloads on itunes. RADIYOGA classes are being taught regularly around the country now at community centers, gyms and local shrines. Since, 2008 RADIYOGA has been broadcast by Fuji Television several days a week. I do the class with Ken Sensei when i am in Japan. I love to do this class, everyone is smiling afterward. it is a program that can be done by and be of benefit to anyone. I am happy to share RADIYOGA with people on this side of the ocean and elsewhere. For more information
SONG OF ONE
When I got to Japan In 2003 I met Ken Harakuma, a very dynamic yoga sensei who started the International Yoga Center in Tokyo. I studied there primarily with him and after some time had passed he asked me to collaborate with him on a 4 minute yoga program which became RADIYOGA (see other 'projects'). He then suggested that i teach a vocal workshop based on what i do. i agreed to do it and i have since done so from 2006 through 2009 at both the Tokyo and Yokohama YogaFesta and have this past year presented Song Of One classes at the International Yoga Center as well .
Song of One combines yogic techniques and techniques from the Italian Bel Canto, and African American music traditions that inform my own way in music. Students will be instructed in exercises designed to free the voice and body, extend the vocal range and increase breath control and awareness and musical ability.
This class seeks to help the student get out of his/her own way in order to express their own unique voice and to experience the joy of joining their voices collectively while maintaining their own individual expression. This class is for people who just want to have more enjoyment from singing and more flexibility and control of their voice. Whether you are a beginnger or a long time practicioner of yoga or singing, there will be great opportunity for growth and integration with this fun, invigorating practice.
This teaching comes naturally from the synthesis of a yoga practice over the years and a life spent learning through singing.
The Dana Hanchard Group is the name of the band of musicians who have worked with me over the last 6-7 years in Japan playing my music. There have been many different musicians whose have contributed at different times during this period and to whom i am grateful for their help in bringing this music to life. The current members are: guitarist, Kazu Michishita/ bassists, Osamu Koichi and Riyu Kawamura, percussionist, Chris Hardy and singer Yuka Deguchi. We have played regularly at Dolphy in Yokohama, the Cotton Club in Tokyo, Motion Blue in Yokohama, Sometime in Kichijioji, JZ Brat in Tokyo and more recently at the Shinjuku Pit-Inn. 
Miya and Dana and dancer, Rena Kodama at Kominka Jazz 11/09(above)
