Mary Mariko Ohno was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan and is fluent in both Japanese and English. She has studied classical Japanese dance for 60 years and earned the professional license and its title of "Hanayagi Fumiryu" in July 1966. She has also studied classical Japanese music, "Naga-uta style shamisen", for 45 years and earned the professional license and its title of "Kine-ie Yanacho" in March 1974.

 

Mary Ohno has received the "Gordon Ekvall Tracie Award" from the Ethnic Heritage Council in February 22, 2002. This Award is given to an ethnic performing artist who has made significant contributions in the development and presentation of the traditional arts in U.S.A. Mary Ohno is not only the first Japanese recipient but also the first Asian Artist to be chosen as a recipient of this prestigious award.

 

As an accomplished performer, she has given a number of recitals and concerts in the Japanese arts at several large theaters, such as Mitsukoshi Hall, Asakusa City Hall, The National Theatre, and Meiji-za Theatre in Tokyo, Japan.

 

What is Kabuki Academy?

Mary Mariko Ohno opened the KABUKI ACADEMY in 1983 to instruct Japanese classical dancing, Naga-uta style shamisen music and the general concepts of Kabuki Arts at Tacoma Community College, Seattle Central Community College and her studio in Tacoma, Washington (in the Pacific Northwest). By this time, the numbers of her enthusiastic students reach well over 500, including Americans, Japanese-Americans and even Japanese living in the U.S.A.

Although she lives in Tacoma, Mary Ohno goes to Japan to perform Japanese dancing and shamisen music at numerous theaters in Tokyo, Japan to improve her skills. Those who join her Kabuki Academy are fully satisfied with her energetic, patient and well disciplined lessons preceded by her fluent English and Japanese.