James Nyoraku Schlefer is a leading performer and teacher of shakuhachi in New York City. He performs frequently with koto and shamisen ensembles both nationally and internationally and also performs solo concerts. In addition to performing the traditional repertoire, Schlefer plays modern music for the instrument and is an active composer. He has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Tanglewood, the Metropolitan, Brooklyn and Philadelphia Museums, & the Joyce Theater. Schlefer has four solo recordings, Wind Heart (which was aboard the Space Station MIR for over one year) Solstice Spirit, Flare Up, and his most recent release In The Moment. His music was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered. He received two Shi-Han (master) licenses and the Dai-Shi-Han (Grand Master) license. He has worked with primarily with Yoshio Kurahashi and Ronnie Seldin, as well as with, Aoki Reibo, Yokoyama Katsuya, Yoshinobu Tanighcui, and Mitsuhashi Kifu among others. Schlefer holds a Master’s degree in flute & musicology from Queens College and is on the CUNY faculty where he teaches courses in Classical Music, World Music and Jazz History.