Michael Chikuzen Gould studied the Shakuhachi (Zen Bamboo flute) in Japan for 15 years under renowned masters Mr. Yokoyam Katsuya and Mr. Taniguchi Yoshinobu. He earned the title of Dai-Shihan or Grand Master in 1995. He returned in 1998 to teach at wittenberg University and the University of Michigan. Gould is currently based in Cleveland Heights, Ohio where he teaches privately when he’s not touring. Gould has published several Cds and instructional books for teaching shakuhachi. On his latest Cd he is accompanied by Buddhist Shomyo chanting. He has toured extensively in the U.S. and Japan, and is currently teaming up with Chieko and Kuniyasu Iwazaki for a two week concert tour.

Chieko Iwazaki began studying the koto (Japanese zither) at the age of five and the shamisen (Japanese lute) at the age of 10. She trained under the guidance of Haruko Kurabe, a well-known teacher in the Kyushu style of shamisen, and studied the koto under Ono Mamoru of the Soumei Music Guild. Although currently residing in her hometown of Kyoto, Japan, where she teaches and performs, Iwazaki lived in Connecticut from 1997~2002, where she performed and taught along the east coast. She continues to return to the U.S. once or twice a year for performances and workshops. In 1998 she released her first CD titled “Kyoto Breeze”. She currently is touring with Michael Gould and her husband, Mr. Kuniyasu Iwazaki. 

Mr. Kuniyasu Iwazaki began learning the shakuhachi in 1974 and has studied under several of the most prominent teachers in Japan. He retired from his design engineering occupation in 2001 and turned to a professional shakuhachi career. Mr. Iwazaki specializes in Kokyoku music, the older Japanese Chamber music with the koto and shamisen.  He is based in Kyoto, Japan where he teaches can often be heard in concert with his wife, Mrs. Chieko Iwazaki.