“Shakuhachi? It is my passport into the complex aesthetics of Japan. The sound is simply unmatched by any instrument.”
Biography
With an active performing and recording schedule, and a growing studio of students, Shawn Tairyu Head has dedicated himself to bringing the shakuhachi to new audiences around the world. While he embraces the traditional melodies of the ancient repertoire known as honkyoku, his classical conservatory training and Western spiritual perspective make him equally at home composing and commissioning new works that explore the unique sonic possibilities of the shakuhachi. As a performer, composer, and teacher, his goal is nothing less than a shakuhachi revival.
“By nurturing a deep appreciation for shakuhachi and other traditional Japanese arts, I hope to contribute to an artistic renaissance in Japan. My goal is to inspire the younger generation to embrace these ancient traditions, fostering a new wave of Shihans (“masters”) who will carry forward the legacy of honkyoku melodies.”
Head’s formal musical education began when he took up the viola at age 10. He soon began composing, and at 16, the Kapell Trio commissioned a piece from him, and he became convinced that he wanted a career in music. He continued his training in orchestral strings, and at the age of 18 he was accepted by the Cleveland School of Music, where he was formally introduced to the shakuhachi. While completing his bachelor’s degree in music composition, he also studied the Japanese language, as well as the shakuhachi. He was fortunate to study the flute under two renowned masters, beginning his studies with Kaoru Kakizakai, and finishing them with Michael Chikuzen Gould.
Although he worked for some years as a professional violist, he focused primarily on the shakuhachi, and achieved the rank of Shihan in 2016. He was given the “bamboo name” Renzoh—the first syllable means “lotus” and symbolizes purity and enlightenment, while the second means “to store or keep,” implying the accumulation and preservation of skills and knowledge.
Teaching
While maintaining a busy performance schedule, Head took his first student in 2018, and began creating a video catalog of performances, interviews, and lessons that has now expanded to over 900 entries on YouTube. These recordings form an invaluable reference for shakuhachi players of all levels, documenting the bulk of the canonical repertoire, as well as techniques, tips, and advice on all things shakuhachi. As his studio grew, he moved permanently to the Kansai region of Japan in 2020, where he resides with his wife and their two daughters.
Head taught and performed under the name Renzoh until 2024, when the legendary grandmaster, Taniguchi Yoshinobu, elevated him to the rank of Meiyo Daishihan (“Honored Grandmaster”). Along with this recognition, Taniguchi also conferred the new bamboo name Tairyu, which can be translated as “Great Dragon”.
“Upon receiving the name Tairyu, I am deeply honored and humbled. It is an acknowledgment of the journey I've embarked upon in my shakuhachi practice. I will strive to embody the qualities represented by this name with sincerity, dedication, and humility, always mindful of the rich tradition and spirit of the instrument. I am grateful for this opportunity to continue growing and learning on my path as a shakuhachi artist.”
The Three Components
THE COMPOSER
As a composer, Shawn’s substantial output reflects the complex aesthetics of Japanese Music. His recent composition, Shakuhachi Suite is an example of the connection between his western roots and Japanese sounds. Misha Vayman, violinist and new music expert says that Shawn’s music is "A deeply felt Japanese sentiment structured with a virtuosic Western filigree." Other performers have said, "When playing Shawn's music, I need to open my musical perspective to colors, techniques, and tonalities I don't get to use often while playing western repertoire."-Leah Stevens, flutist. His current compositional projects are inviting composers to compose new works for shakuhachi. His recent CD, 20-20 bamboo features many of the past composers he has worked with.
In 2016, Shawn released his first CD titled “Fourteen Roei,” featuring soprano Naomi Columna. This fifteen-track album features ancient Japanese and Chinese text for soprano and shakuhachi. It has been revered by Japanese listeners, and deemed a “reconstructed masterpiece of Classical Japanese Poetry” by Kazuaki Uekawa. He was also featured in violinist, Aija Izaks CD “Teksasys Latgalisi.” The CD won the cultural Bonkus prize in Latvia in 2018.
Shawn also collaborated with percussionist and buddist monk, Harry B Happy on a multi track improvisation album called “Music From Nowhere.” All Cd’s are avaliable for download and streaming on Spotify.
THE PERFORMER
Shawn Head stands as a virtuoso in the realm of Shakuhachi performance, transcending traditional boundaries to infuse his music with a global perspective. With a mastery that mesmerizes audiences, he skillfully blends Eastern and Western influences, harmonizing Japanese aesthetics with the framework of Western classical music. His prowess on the Shakuhachi serves as a gateway to the rich tapestry of Japanese culture, facilitating a profound immersion into the fusion of these two artistic worlds.
Dedicated to pushing the boundaries of classical music's social and cultural impact, Head's collaborations span diverse genres and top-tier musicians worldwide.
Praise for Head's virtuosity echoes through the halls of esteemed institutions. Ariel Clayton Karas, Director of Classical Revolution Cleveland, lauds Head's performance as "truly stunning," highlighting his unparalleled technical prowess and captivating repertoire. Karen Evans Moratz, Principal Flutist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, hails Head's performance as "illuminating, enlightening, and downright inspiring," commending his ability to ignite creativity and exploration among students. Indeed, Head's artistry transcends mere performance, inspiring a new generation to embrace innovation and reimagine the possibilities of musical expression.
THE TEACHER
In addition to his remarkable performances and collaborations, Shawn Head is a fervent advocate for the transformative power of music in education and cultural revitalization. Recognizing the importance of classical music in reaching diverse audiences and fostering deeper connections to the arts, he champions music as an essential educational tool.
One of Head's significant initiatives involves active engagement with local schools in Japan, where he facilitates access to instruments and arts education for children who might otherwise lack exposure to traditional Japanese music. By providing opportunities for young minds to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Japanese classical music, Head not only nurtures musical talent but also instills a sense of cultural pride and identity.
Furthermore, Head actively shares his expertise and passion for music through lectures at various esteemed institutions worldwide. From Ball State University to the Taiwan National University of Arts, he imparts valuable insights and experiences to students eager to explore the depths of musical expression. By engaging with academic communities, Head not only enriches the educational landscape but also fosters a global dialogue on the intersection of tradition and innovation in music.
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What People are Saying about Shawn
Katrin Meidell
Shawn visited the Schwob School of Music in March 2019. He presented to both the flute and composition studios, as well as to the entire student body. Additionally, Shawn and I performed a recital together, featuring his compositions. As a collaborator, Shawn has a professional yet easy-going demeanor that allowed our rehearsals and performance to be enjoyable and successful. As a presenter, he was engaging and funny, allowing for interesting and informative lectures. As a composer, Shawn displays a maturity beyond his years, and I truly enjoy the pieces he has composed for me. After our recital, I received many compliments from audience members as to the refreshing programming of Shawn's compositions and the unique experience Shawn’s beautiful shakuhachi playing offered. I look forward to our next collaboration.
Katrin Meidell, DMA
Assistant Professor of Viola
Schwob School of Music
Columbus State University
Board Member, American Viola Society
Kazuaki Uekawa
Shawn Head is a master musician/composer. His music tells stories through the traditional beautiful instrument made of a bamboo with craftsmanship. Shawn puts life into it through rich expressions and technical sophistication. The diverse tone he creates is nothing like performers of other modern instruments. His vibrato, deep resonance, and slow and quick legato runs seem coming from deep inside his whole body. Shakuhachi only has five holes, but seeing Shawn on stage or in videos allows one to observe how the performer’s whole being are affecting the tone. As I listen to Shawn’s music with my eyes closed, I hear sounds of nature: sound of wind blowing, leaves falling, birds twittering away, and animals’ howling. My favorite is Shawn’s masterpiece, Fourteen Roei, which is Shawn’s musical interpretation of Japanese classical poems. Fourteen Roei reflects Shawn’s deep appreciation of Japanese culture and its ancient past. It reflects passion and respect Shawn holds for Japanese art, history, and people. Shawn seems pushing the boundary of musical possibilities through a deceptively simple instrument that is allowing him to tell stories though music.
Kazuaki Uekawa, Ph.D
Author of Eigo Nodo, expert in Japanese and English language translation and pronunciation.
Noelle Goseling
Shawn is a charasmatic and passionate musician. His knowledge and background in classical music is vast, spanning both violin and viola repertoire. He is also a gifted composer and his music draws from an eclectic variety of sources and is always musically interesting and rewarding to perform. Additionally, he is a master traditional Japanese flute (Shakuhachi) artist and has delighted and amazed audiences all over the world in that capacity.
Noelle Goseling
Violin Soloist, Educator
David Murray
It was a real pleasure to have Shawn Head present a recital and speak with our students during his recent trip to Butler University’s School of Music. The students were quite taken with his performance and were fully engaged when he was able to discuss his music and take questions in an open forum. He also gave masterclasses for the flute and composition studios. Hearing the shakuhachi was a new and fascinating experience for many of our students.
David Murray
Director – School of Music
Professor of Bass
Butler University
David Vayo
Shawn Head visited Illinois Wesleyan University this February as a featured guest of IWU’s New Music Series, which I direct. While on campus, Mr. Head gave a presentation on his instrument to music composition and woodwind students, and performed a concert which included traditional Japanese music, his own compositions, and free improvisations.
Mr. Head’s presentation was full of useful historical, cultural and practical information on his instrument, as well as live demonstrations of the shakuhachi’s techniques and characteristics. An engaging speaker, he connected well with the students. At the concert, Mr. Head gave accomplished and deeply expressive renditions of his own impressive compositions as well as traditional repertoire. As his partner in the free improvisations, I was impressed with his ability to muster his considerable creativity and technique instantaneously to support the ongoing musical drama. When improvising with others, I always hope for situations in which it feels like s single musical intelligence is directing both performers, and this was very much the case in that evening’s musical explorations.
David Vayo
Fern Rosetta Sherff Professor of Composition and Theory
Illinois Wesleyan Univeristy
Robin Bohumil
Shawn is a dedicated musician and instructor He has a great ear, and can hear right away what I'm doing so our lessons always feel engaged and personal. He keeps it challenging so I'm always motivated to excel and since I can easily review the recorded lessons, the Skype lesson format is very effective. As a result not only have I improved more quickly than I thought possible I'm playing music I really love. I definitely recommend taking lessons from Shawn.
Robin Bohumil
Current Shakuhachi Student
Brian P. Herrington
When I invited Shawn Renzoh Head to work with our orchestra in the premiere of his new concerto, my goal was to excite the students about new music and inspire our audience: Shawn Renzoh Head exceeded all of those aims. Performing with Shawn was a magical experience for me as a conductor, and our orchestral students were clearly captivated. The response from the audience was overwhelming. Shawn opened up new worlds for our students as he engaged them with charm and a generous spirit.
Brian P. Herrington, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Music and Director of the Symphony Orchestra, Music Theory Coordinator, Lone Star College-CyFair
Eric Charnofsky
Shawn’s dedication to the promotion of the shakuhachi and its particular characteristics, along with his unwavering support of new music and its practitioners, are to be greatly admired. In, 2018, he commissioned me to write a solo shakuhachi piece, combining modern western aesthetics with this prominent Japanese instrument. His tutorials on how to write for it were extremely helpful and clear, and his obvious devotion to the music he has premiered is inspiring. I am grateful to Shawn as he continues to perform my piece nationally and internationally, and I respect his commitment to bridging eastern and western musical traditions.
Eric Charnofsky
Case Western Reserve University Instructor, Pianist and Composer
Karen Evans Moratz
Shawn Renzoh Head's Spring 2019 workshop at our flute studio at Butler University was illuminating, enlightening, and downright inspiring. My students and I were in awe of his command of the Shakuhachi flute as he performed traditional and original compositions for us. His description of his own journey into studying the Shakuhachi flute encouraged my students to think "outside the box" and explore entirely new creative avenues. After exploring Mr. Head's innovative yet hauntingly beautiful original compositions, we are planning on commissioning a new work for our flute choir. Indeed, his visit was the highlight of our year.
Karen Evans Moratz
Principal flutist of Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Artist in Residence at Butler University, and Author of Flute for Dummies.
Hiroaki Kawamura
"It was enlightening to see Shawn perform Shakuhachi at Kent State University for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Ohio Association of Teachers of Japanese. He has great passion for Shakuhachi tradition and is determined to introduce it to the US audience. We were all moved by his quiet but strong will. He will be a great asset for Japanese music tradition. Meeting a young person like Shawn is a great joy for all of us in the field of Japanese language and culture education."
Hiroaki Kawamura,
Ph.D., Associate Professor of Japanese, The University of Findlay; President, Ohio Association of Teachers of Japanese
Yongfei Yi
Mr. Shawn Head did a wonderful job explaining Japanese aesthetics terms to a general audience. He was also good at getting students to participate in the lecture. His lecture was informative and entertaining. We all really enjoyed his lecture and admired his passion and knowledge.
Yongfei Yi,
PhD Candidate Modern Japanese Literature Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures
Misha Vayman
Shawn’s music is a deeply felt Japanese sentiment structured with a virtuosic western filigree.
Misha Vayman
Critically Accalimed soloist and chamber musician
Lisa Rainsong
Shawn Head presented a fascinating lecture on Japanese musical notation and Japanese flute music for my sophomore Music Theory class. I was impressed with his ability to convey the subtle details of the music on his Japanese flute. The students found his presentation to be quite engaging and enjoyed it very much. I did as well!
Lisa Rainsong
Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western Reserve University Music Theory faculty.
Anna Vayman
Shawn is a dedicated and creative professional who filled his role at Benefic Chamber Music Champ admirably, presenting on the topics of composition and improvisation. The students responded with enthusiasm and confidence, rating their time with him as one of the high points of BCMC.
Anna Vayman
Artistic Director of Benefic Chamber Music Camp, Associate Violin Professor at Ball State University.
Ariel Clayton Karas
Shawn Head's performance of Shakuhachi music during our recent Classical Revolution Cleveland show was truly stunning. His technical and musical command of the instrument were stunning, and the repertoire performed was captivating. It was the first time CRC has incorporated music from that genre in our shows, and it was eye-opening. We hope to have him back soon!
Ariel Clayton Karas
Director, Classical Revolution Cleveland
2024 Festival Reflections
I’ve been home from the 2024 Taibo Shakuhachi Festival for almost two weeks now. Some of my shakuhachi friends and students have asked me how it was, but it’s difficult to convey the immersive nature of these gatherings. Now that I’ve had time to reflect on it, I’ll give it a shot.