Shakuhachi Hermit | Ralph Samuelson

Ralph Samuelson is a shakuhachi performer and teacher and a pioneer in the growing presence of shakuhachi music in the US.

Ralph was trained in the classical tradition of the Kinko School by the late Living National Treasure Yamaguchi Gorō, and by Yamato Shudō and Araki Kodō V. He performs traditional and contemporary music throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. He's recorded for Innova, CBS Masterworks, Lyrichord, Music of the World, Tzadik, XI Records, Pogus, and more.

Ralph was the shakuhachi soloist in the New York City Ballet production of Jerome Robbins’ Watermill, with music by Teiji Ito. His Flutes of Hope ensemble, commemorating earthquake/tsunami victims, has been presented annually in New York, including at Carnegie Hall and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. He's been an artist-in-residence at the Lou Harrison House in Joshua Tree, CA. He's an international advisor for the Seoul Institute of the Arts in Korea and the former Director of the Asian Cultural Council.