Taro Hakase in Kumamoto

Taro Hakase is a Japanese violinist and composer, born in Osaka in 1968, whose music draws on classical crossover and instrumental pop. A co-founder of Kryzler & Kompany, he is known for “Jōnetsu Tairiku” and “Etupirka,” as well as his violin performance on Céline Dion’s “To Love You More.” He performed “To Love You More” with Céline Dion during her world tours. In 2015, his trio reunited for the New World tour, which included a concert at Nippon Budokan, while his solo work has supported annual concert-hall tours around Japan. He also curates and performs at the recurring Taro Hakase Music Festival, an outdoor event staged in Kyoto and Tokyo.