classical music
Kayo Kono always loved to sing. After being trained and coached in Japan by opera tutors Sachiko Takeda and Wakako Takahashi, Kayo came to North Wales, the land of song, last year and she has been greatly inspired by the wonderful music of Wales and the idyllic surroundings of the mountains and the sea. 'The air here in Wales seems to have helped my voice to become stronger and brighter. I love living here. It makes me so very happy and when I'm happy I sing!' Since coming to Wales last spring Kayo has discovered the Welsh love of music and song. 'There are so many places where people can sing here in Gwynedd where I live' Says Kayo enthusiastically, 'I had heard that Welsh people appreciated music when I was in Japan, but being here it is like being with so many friends who all love to do what I love to do.'
Llandrillo College
As well as studying music Kayo is studying for a degree in business at Llandrillo College near Llandudno. Her tutor and voice coach, Nigel Shaw, formerly of Bangor University, has been helping Kayo to develop her music over the past year.
Kayo Kono is now sought after for her beautiful classical singing. Over the past year Kayo has performed her beautiful arias at a number of local concerts, and has recently joined a professional classical choir. Kayo joined the Bangor Community Choir shortly after arriving in Bangor two years ago and still regularly practices with them..
Kayo's dream
Kayo seems to have done a lot within a short time in North Wales. I asked her what she would like to do within the next year. 'Well, when I was at the Fenol Music Festival I met Bryn Terfel. He spoke to me in Japanese, and that was quite a surprise, and we talked about a concert he did in Japan. An ambition of mine is that I would love to sing with him sometime in the future. Maybe someday I will.'
