Rooted in the concept of gokan, the engagement of all five senses, Sora transforms exceptional spaces into intimate artistic experiences that foster meaningful dialogue between Japan and the United States. With Sora, meaning ‘sky’ in Japanese, we look to the sky as a metaphor for openness, connection, and limitless possibility.
By bringing audiences into close contact with world-class musicians in thoughtfully curated environments, Sora cultivates cultural exchange, artistic excellence, and a refined community connected through beauty and shared experience.
Sora is a nonprofit, fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas.
Gokan (五感) means “the five senses” in Japanese. At Sora, music is only the beginning. Through sound, sight, taste, scent, and touch, each salon becomes a multisensory experience designed to awaken the senses and inspire connection.
Point at a sense to see a photo.Tap a sense to see a photo.
The experience begins long before the first note. Guests are welcomed into an intimate setting, where every detail sets the tone for the evening. Thoughtfully selected food, sake, and cocktails invite guests to mingle, discover, and settle into the atmosphere.
Here, the distance between artist and audience disappears. World-class musicians perform just a few feet away, revealing every nuance, gesture, and emotion. It’s a rare kind of closeness that makes each performance feel deeply personal.
The evening doesn’t end with the final note. Guests are invited to linger over drinks, meet the artists, and connect with fellow music lovers. Conversations unfold, new friendships begin, and the shared experience of music continues long after the performance.
Dear Friends,
Music has been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember. As a pianist, I’ve been fortunate to perform in many beautiful concert halls around the world, but I’ve always felt that some of the most meaningful musical moments happen in smaller, more intimate settings, where the distance between performer and listener disappears, and music becomes something deeply personal.
That belief is what inspired me to create Sora.
Having spent my life between Japan, France, and the United States, I have always felt the beauty of cultural exchange: how music can transcend language and create moments of genuine connection. With Sora, I wanted to bring together my love of the western tradition of classical music and the Japanese appreciation for beauty, detail, and inner reflection, creating evenings that are as much about human connection as they are about music.
My hope is that Sora offers something increasingly rare: a space to slow down, listen, discover, and connect. A place where extraordinary musicians and curious minds come together, where conversations continue long after the music ends, and where every gathering leaves us with something to carry home.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I look forward to sharing many beautiful evenings with you.
Rieko Tsuchida
Maria Takeuchi was born and raised in Ueda City, Nagano, Japan.
Growing up surrounded by kimono, she was deeply influenced by the women in her family. Her great-grandmother collected hundreds of kimono throughout her life, while her grandmother worked as a kimono dresser for many years. Watching them dress in kimono became a quiet and lasting memory from her childhood.
After moving to New York and becoming a mother, Maria experienced a deep sense of isolation. During that time, she found herself drawn back to kimono, not only as tradition, but as a way to reconnect with herself, her culture, and a sense of belonging.
Under the guidance of her grandmother, she later received her kimono dressing certification and transformed this personal journey into her life’s work.
Today, through takeda zen, Maria creates cultural experiences rooted in kimono, ritual, and Japanese aesthetics, inviting moments of stillness, connection, and reflection into modern life.
From the world’s great concert stages to the intimacy of a Sora salon, our artists bring extraordinary musicianship and a shared passion for connecting with audiences through music.
Anthony McGillclarinet
Risa Hokamuraviolin
Komi Hatazakiikebana
Isabelle Ai Durrenbergerviolin
Arlen Hluskocello
Christina MaxwellvoicePlaying October 27Anthony McGill, Isabelle Ai Durrenberger, Arlen Hlusko and Rieko Tsuchida
See the eveningAnthony McGill, Risa Hokamura and Rieko Tsuchida, with ikebana by Komi Hatazaki
See the evening
