Bobby Griffin

グリフィン雅鳳

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Koto & Woodwinds

お琴教室・木管楽器教室

Tokyo, Japan

Bobby Griffin studied music performance at the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of West Florida. He studied woodwind performance and pedagogy with an emphasis in bassoon. During this time, he performed with various ensembles throughout the US and Europe.

After graduating, Bobby opened his own private studio and regularly performed with ensembles around Northwest Florida, including the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, and the Pensacola Little Theatre. He also performed in other small performing ensembles for a variety of events.

Bobby frequently volunteered and worked as a music coach, clinician, and director, and served as vice-president of professional organizations such as the Pensacola Music Teachers’ Association and Canticle, a therapeutic music ensemble. He was co-founder of MOBO Bells, in which he performed, lead youth handbell choirs, and appeared as a clinician within area 4 of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.

Upon arriving to Tokyo in 2012, Bobby continued his musical journey through the koto. He has extensively studied Japanese music performance, history, and theory for the past 11 years under the direction of koto and shamisen Grand-master Garei Nakagawa. Since being awarded an Associate-Master Teaching License and stage name (雅鳳 - Gahō) in Ikuta-style koto from Seiha Hougaku Kai in 2020, Bobby has steadily increased his performance and teaching appearances within the world of Japanese music; through performing opportunities and growing his private studio.

He continues to expand his knowledge of Japanese music and plans to become licensed in Jiuta Shamisen in 2025.

2024 Lecturer: Lecture Recital, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

2024 Performer/Lecturer: Reonkai Wagakki Ensemble, Austria & Spain

2023 Member: Zensokyo National Hougaku Ensemble Association

2022 Professional Debut Recital: Reonkai Wagakki Ensemble, Saitama

2022 Host/Presenter: Zensokyo Japanese Instruments Online

2021~ Private Koto/Shamisen Studio, Tokyo

2021-2023 Host/Presenter: Exploring Japanese Music web series

2020 Associate-Master (準師範) Teacher License, Seiha Hougaku Kai

2019~ Performer/Soloist: Japan Shakuhachi Society, Saitama Branch

2019~ Instructor: Elementary School Music & Dance Workshop, Saitama

2013~ Performer, Teacher: Reonkai Wagakki Ensemble, Saitama

2009-2011 Co-founder, Director/Clinician: MOBO Bells, Pensacola FL

2008-2010 V.P. of Programs: Pensacola Music Teachers’ Association

2007-2010 Vice-President/Treasurer: Canticle, Therapeutic Music Ensemble

2005-2010 Private Woodwinds Studio, Pensacola FL

2005-2010 Performer: Canticle, Therapeutic Music Ensemble

2005-2010 Bassoon/Contra-bassoonist: PSO, NWFSO, Pensacola Opera

2005-2010 Woodwind Performer: Pensacola Little Theatre