Alcvin Takegawa Ramos

Alcvin was born on February 18, 1969 in Atsugi City, Kanagawa-ken, Japan. Alcvin holds a Shihan title from Katsuya Yokoyama founder of the International Shakuhachi Training Center, studying under Kakizakai Kaoru and Teruo Furuya, concentrating on the Do-kyoku of Watazumi-do and Katsuya Yokoyama , studying and comparing both styles of playing.

Alcvin has also studied the art of making shakuhachi flutes with Murai Eigoro in Tokyo and produces beautiful, finely-crafted jinashi/hocchiku flutes made from madake which he personally harvests from Japan every year. Please inquire for availabilty of flutes.

The biwa has also been a very elemental instrument in Alcvin's sonic explorations. After hearing a recording of late Satsuma Biwa master, Tsuruta Kinshi, Alcvin took up the study of biwa with Yukio Tanaka, disciple of Tsuruta Kinshi. whenever Al has the opportunity he collaborates with another one of Tsuruta Kinshi's greatest disciples, Kakushin Nishihara.

Al maintains an active schedule of shakuhachi performances between Japan, Europe, Canada, and the U.S. For private lessons, workshops, and performance bookings please call 604-883-2023 or email ramos@dccnet.com. For shakuhachi flute and CD orders and other mailings, mail to: S9-C3 Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0.