“Every musician’s story begins with a first instrument, a first note, a first song that sparked their desire to perform and has carried them through their development as an artist.”

The Oregon Symphony just launched Notations, a video series which showcases musicians’ origin stories and shines a light on the rich and complex cultures that have influenced and contributed to the tapestry of music in America. In this video, Keiko Araki shares her experience growing up in Canada and exploring her dual Japanese and Chinese heritage, which deeply shaped her evolution as both a violinist and taiko drummer.