Miya Masaoka is a composer / performer and has established herself as a highly skilled innovator on the Japanese koto. She has performed with musicians varying from Ornette Coleman, Fred Frith, to the Berekely Symphony. Pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi wrote “Suite for Orchestra and Koto” for her that was recorded on BMG. She also has recorded duet and trio CD’s with Andrew Cyrille, Reggie Workman and George Lewis and Henry Kaiser. Her debut CD, Compositions/Improvisations with guest James Newton made four “Top Ten” critics lists. She has been the director of the San Francisco Gagaku Society for eight years.