Kenji Williams speaks about his live collaboration with astronaut Koichi Wakata, performs a sample of BELLA GAIA (Beautiful Earth), and shares its transformative power revealed by NASA survey data. View Japanese 日本語 version : 

The last 1min of the video (after the 8min performance) explains the NASA survey data showing the real data results of converting people who experience Bella Gaia. 90% conversion rate of audiences' greater understanding of our earth, and more than doubling the response of people who feel a more personal relationship with the Earth in their personal lives. (31% -> 64%).

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May 2, 12:30-1:30 EDT: The NASA Johnson Space Center's DLN (Digital Learning Network) and Public Affairs Office are thrilled to present another Music in Space event featuring International Space Station commander Koichi Wakata and BELLA GAIA director Kenji Williams. The live StarJAM session will include a 3-5 minute improvised musical performance between Williams and Koichi, interspersed with video footage from BELLA GAIA's multimedia show as well as live images from space. Koichi will be playing an ancient Japanese wind instrument called a Sho, which was donated by Japan's Tenri University.

Co-Sponsored by BELLA GAIA (Beautiful Earth) and Tenri University, the StarJam was conceptualized by director and violinist Kenji Williams. Tenri Institute Executive Director Yoichi Fukui trained Wakata on the Sho, and this 2000 year old instrument donated by Prof Koji Satoh was transported to the International Space Station by the SpaceX Dragon. This is the first time in history for such an instrument to travel beyond the Earth's atmosphere. In the Japanese Shinto tradition, the Sho is an instrument performed for the purpose of tuning the cosmos.

The 1 hour DLN Music in Space session will also be joined by Pearl Hall Elementary School Choir in Houston, TX, Astronaut and flutist Cady Coleman, educator and flutist Jami Lupold, and violinist Sergei Galperein from the Houston Symphony.

Watch live May 2nd, at 12:30pm Eastern USA Time:
https://dln.nasa.gov/
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-dlinfo

NASA, StarJam, ISS, Space Station, Jaxa, Koichi Wakata, 天理大学, 若田 光一, Kenji Williams, Bella Gaia, BellaGaia, Bela, Gaya, ビデオ、ベラガイア, 笙, JSC, Earth, Violin, Interstellar, SpaceX, Dragon, Building Cultural Bridges, Sergei Galperein, Jami Lupold, astronaut, Sho, Jamming , Gagaku

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council interviews grant awardee Kenji Williams on Grantee Spotlight: 
"Multidisciplinary artist, Kenji Williams, was classically trained in violin from a very young age, and developed a unique compositional style through a variety of projects including film scores, ambient and dance music, and touring with diverse bands from dub reggae to techno and world music. Williams is also an accomplished filmmaker, directing and producing many award-winning films presented by the CSC and Sundance. In the last ten years of his artistic practice, Williams has been focusing on fusing his visual arts, music, and live performance work into a unified experience." 
Read more: http://www.lmcc.net/news/grantee_spotlight/spotlight_kenji_williams/

Bella Gaia: Origin Stories of Japan feature & Kenji Williams interview just broadcast on FUJI TV http://www.fujisankei.com/video_library/event/bella-gaia.php

Feature in NY Seikatsu Newspaper. Click to enlarge

5min Promotional Sample Video of the upcoming March 31st (Sunday) show of BELLA GAIA: Origin Stories of Japan at NYU Skirball Theater. Get Tickets ->

An Awe-Inspiring Multimedia Live Concert, fusing an ancient Japanese orchestra, Buddhist chants, and stunning projections of NASA imagery of Earth from Space.

Award-winning composer and director Kenji Williams brings a special and exotic version of BELLA GAIA (Beautiful Earth) to New York! Inspired by stories of astronauts who returned to Earth transformed after the view from space, and working with J-Collabo, "BELLA GAIA: Origin Stories of Japan" explores the relationship between humans and nature through ancient Japanese arts fused with modern expression and technology. The 70-minute immersive performance produced and performed by Williams, features Japanese traditional artists performing Live Noh (dance), Gagaku (ceremonial orchestra), and Shomyo (chanting), and more.

POST SHOW DISCUSSION WITH SPECIAL GUEST PAUL MILLER (DJ SPOOKY) AND KENJI WILLIAMS.