The 2020 Virtual GKC Japan Festival is proud to feature Ms. Aya Uchida, a Japanese professional pop singer from Kyoto, Japan, to perform on a video virtually this year.
Ms. Uchida was born in Kyoto, Japan. In 2009, she met with guitarist, Jo Yamanaka and they started to produce and sing their original songs. Their first collaborative single, Mahalo-Arigato, was originally created for the Kansas City Japan Festival and was very well received in the U.S. Aya’s official debut as a professional singer took place in June 2010 when her first album was released. At the same time, Aya started her own show/program for a local radio station in Kyoto. Aya has not only performed in Japan, but she has performed in many Japan festivals in the US. She has also frequently visited the Republic of Haiti to entertain members of the Japan Self-Defense Force, dispatched to provide international relief activities after the 2010 earthquake, and has also visited children’s orphanages to share her songs and support.
Aya’s music video Long Road / J-Country Version was taken at an old ranch near Kansas City. And, her music video MAHALO~ALOHA was performed in Kansas City. In all, she has made eight music videos with Mr. Yamanaka. You can find her videos on YouTube.
Mr. Jo Yamanaka accompanies Aya on guitar. Aya and Jo have performed at the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival many times. She is extremely popular at our festival.
(This video was produced by Ms. Uchida with her performing in Kyoto and Jo Yamanaka performing on guitar in Kansas City.)