BIOGRAPHY

2024 (Age 14)
October
Released her first solo album, “For Teen.”

Held a solo concert, “YOYOKA’s 15th Birthday and 1st Album ‘For Teen’ Release Concert,” in Hollywood, with tickets selling out and drawing an audience of around 300 people. The concert was a resounding success.

Performed as a guest at the “70th Japan Self-Defense Forces Day” Reception in Los Angeles, collaborating with Tsugaru shamisen player Mike Penny and Japanese dancer Ichinosuke Umekawa.

Performed live as a guest drummer at “Ivan’s House” at Mozambique in LA.

Performed live on the Main Stage at OC Japan Fair 2024 in Costa Mesa, LA as a guest drummer for Rie, followed by a solo performance on the Nakamise Stage.

Performed with her family band at “TEENSTOCK” at Poets Road Gallery in Hollywood, LA.

Participated in a recording with Laurence Dvoskin.

Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Performed as a support drummer for Zelda at “House of Sorrows” at The Bourbon Room in Hollywood, LA.

Made a guest appearance on TJS Radio’s “Tamuken ga LA ni Iru yo.”

Performed as a support drummer for Cali Three at the Halloween Weekend Event in the House of Blues Anaheim’s Foundation Room.

September
Performed as a guest drummer at the “Rockin’ Blues Fest” at Garden Amp in Garden Grove, LA.

Performed as a guest at a concert at Corridor Flow in Lomita.

Released the original song “Bang Away featuring Cali Three and Roman Morello”.

Released the original song “Sky Blue”.

Released the original song “Sparkling (Duo version) featuring Ai Furusato”

Started hosting the radio show “YOYOKA’S LA DIARY” on FM North Wave, airing every Saturday for 30 minutes.

August
Started high school in the United States.

Performed at the jam night of Drum Fantasy Camp.

Released a drum session video with Simon Phillips.

Performed as “Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA” to a full house at the “San Jose Jazz Festival” on the Hammer4 Stage in San Jose.

Headlined the first-ever solo concert for “The Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA,” which sold out at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro, LA.

Performed as “Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA” at The Baked Potato in Studio City, LA.

Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Supported the band Chaser for the “Summer Soulstice” at The Bourbon Room in Hollywood, LA.

Released the original song “Keychain.”

Released the original song “YOYO featuring Narada Michael Walden”

Released the original song “Mud-Stained Boots”.

Released the original song “Home Bestie”.

Released the original song “Changes featuring Ai Furusato “.

July
Headlined with her family band at the “Utah Arts Festival” on the Festival stage in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Awarded the “Rising Star Award” as the youngest recipient by the Japan America Society of Southern California at their “115th Anniversary Dinner & Gala Celebration” at the Natural History Museum in LA, where she also performed a solo.

Performed with her family band at The End in Torrance, LA.

Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Performed as a guest drummer at the “Nova Vita Festival” at Tanaka Farms in Irvine, LA.

Ken Okada Group’s second album “Young and Brave” was released.

June
Hosted a solo performance and progress report event at EZOHUB Sapporo in Sapporo, Japan.

Conducted a sold-out “YOYOKA’s Drum Clinic” at Noah Gakugeidaigakumae Studio in Tokyo, Japan.

Performed with top Japanese musicians on the main stage at “Hibiya Music Festival 2024” at Hibiya Park in Tokyo.

Concert with pianist Ai Furusato at Ivy in Tokyo.

Released a collaboration video with Indian guitarist Maya, who gained attention on America’s Got Talent.

Attended the “Berklee College of Music Percussion Summer Program” in Boston, MA.

Released the original song “My Key.”

Participated in the “Summer Shot Program” at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, LA, and performed at the program’s final concert.

May
Performed with her family band at “Fiesta Hermosa” in Hermosa Beach, LA.

Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Performed as “Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA” at The Baked Potato in Studio City, LA.

Released the original song “Origin.”

Hosted “YOYOKA’s Drum Workshop” and “Let’s Session with YOYOKA” at Music Bar HOT TIME in Sapporo, Japan.

April
Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Performed with her family band at Pike Restaurant & Bar in Long Beach.

Released the original song “Hello Sunshine featuring Rachel West”.

March
Performed as the “Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA” at The Baked Potato in Studio City, LA.

Performed with her family band in the “Future Legends Rock Festival” at The Water Tank in Austin, Texas.

Led a “YOYOKA Drum Workshop” at Radha School of Music in Austin, Texas, which sold out and was a tremendous success.

Performed with her family band at Kick-Butt Coffee in Austin, Texas.

Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Appeared as a sudden guest with “Led Zeooelin” at GASLAMP in Long Beach.

Performed with her family band at The Redwood Bar & Grill in Downtown LA.

February
Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Performed with her family band at The Redwood Bar & Grill.

Played as a support drummer for “Cali Three” at Bruddahs Bar and Grill in Gardena.

Performed with her family band at Universal Bar & Grill in North Hollywood.

January
Organized a charity livestream on YouTube to support relief efforts for the Noto Peninsula earthquake, donating all Super Chat proceeds to Ishikawa Prefecture, where the earthquake occurred, totaling approximately $1,400.

Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Filmed a collaboration video with kid musicians selected from across the United States, organized by KIDS ROCK FOR KIDS.

Performed with guitarist Derek Day and others for two days at the “NAMM Show 2024,” held in Anaheim.

Performed with her family band at The Redwood Bar & Grill in Downtown LA.

Performed with her family band at Universal Bar & Grill in North Hollywood.

2023 (Age 13)
December
Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Performed with her family band at the charity event “The Chasmanian Devils,” held at Universal Bar & Grill in North Hollywood.

Invited to perform at the “Simply the Best Christmas” concert hosted by the Narada Michael Walden Foundation in Mill Valley, where she received the “Narada’s Best Young Drummer of the Year Award for 2023” from Narada Michael Walden.

November
Performed live as the “Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA” at SJZ Break Room in San Jose. The event was sold out, and the performance was also live-streamed.

Performed as a support drummer for Cali Three at a show in Hollywood at The Vermont Hollywood.

Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Performed a drum show at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood.

Performed with her family band at Universal Bar & Grill in Hollywood.

Performed with Cali Three on the YouTube channel Wish USA, which has over 2 million subscribers.

October
Invited to the 100th birthday party of Mary Morello, the mother of Tom Morello, held in Hollywood. She performed alongside actor Jack Black and Roman Morello, Tom Morello’s son, receiving a standing ovation for her performance.

Performed at the “25th Aurora Benefit Fall Event” at the Japanese American National Museum.

Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Appeared as a guest speaker online at “TEDxSapporo 2023,” held in Sapporo, Japan. Her talk was titled “Saving as Many Hearts as Possible Through Music.”

Performed at “Travers Halloween Party” at the iconic live venue The Baked Potato in Studio City.

September
Invited as a guest performer at a school event at “John Muir Middle School” in Burbank.

Performed with The Ronny George Band at Silky Sullivan’s Restaurant & Irish Pub in Fountain Valley.

Performed as a guest drummer at the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition’s 10th Anniversary celebration.

August
Performed at the “Japan House Los Angeles 5th Anniversary Event” at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, performing a solo act and also playing as the drummer for MIYAVI’s band.

Participated in the “Drum Fantasy Camp” held in Hollywood, performing Sting’s “Seven Days” at the camp’s final concert and receiving a standing ovation.

Supported the band Cali Three in a live-streamed concert from their home in Gardena.

Performed as a member of The Ronny George Band at Durty Nelly’s in Costa Mesa.

Performed with Derek Day and others at Ultimate Jam Night at Whisky a Go Go.

July
Performed as a guest performer at the Japan – US Innovation Awards held at Stanford University.

Performed as a guest drummer for “The Ronny George Band” in Costa Mesa, LA.

The “Ken Okada Group featuring YOYOKA” released their debut jazz fusion album titled “Square One.”

Performed as the “Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA” at “San Pedro Square Market” in San Jose.

Participated in a signing event at Anime Expo held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

June
Performed alongside Japan’s top players and popular singers at the major music event “Hibiya Music Festival 2023.”

Hosted the “YOYOKA JAPAN TOUR 2023” in Tokyo and Sapporo, featuring many well-known Japanese musicians as special guests.

Held a collaboration concert with pianist Ai Furusato at the live bar Ivy in Tokyo, which sold out on the same day.

Performed with her family band as guest performers at NISEKO CLASSIC 2023 in Niseko.

Performed with the family band at the Tabard Theater in San Jose.

Relocated to Los Angeles at the end of June.

May
Invited as a guest to “the Japanese Language School of San Francisco,” where she performed a solo piece, played with her family band, and joined a session with the school’s instructors.

Performed as a support drummer for Peaboo and the Catz at Gilman in Oakland.

Invited to “the American International Montessori School” in Berkeley, where she performed a solo piece, played with her family band, and taught drumming to children interested in drums.

First show with the Ken Okada Group at the jazz bar Mama Kin in San Jose.

Performed with the Ken Okada Group at San Pedro Square Market.

April
Guest-performed at a Fantastic Negrito event held at Thrive City in San Francisco.

Served as a special judge on the audition program “Wish.”

Played a solo performance at the San Francisco Cherry Blossoms Festival and also performed with her family band on other stages during the event.

Performed extensively as a bassist and drummer at concerts for the Oakland School for the Arts.

March
Appeared live on San Francisco’s “KRON4 News,” where her interview and live performance received a great response.

Performed at “Notes & Words,” a charity event for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals starring Alanis Morissette.

Performed with her family band at a “School of Rock” event held in Oakland.

Performed with the family band at the Pioneer Tap Room in Fairfield.

Performed as a guest at the regular meeting of the Waseda University Alumni Association, held in Sunnyvale.

February
Held her first solo concert at ROKKO restaurant in California’s Bay Area, which sold out in five hours.

Performed a solo drum performance at a Web3 event held at Digital Garage in San Francisco.

Performed an impromptu session with Japanese guitarist MIYAVI at the Japanese Consulate in San Francisco.

January
Performed as a guest for Oakland’s Rockridge Chorale.

Appeared on the television program “Direct Talk” on NHK WORLD.

2022 (Age 12)
December
Played a session with Grammy Award-winning artist Fantastic Negrito.

Performed on two stages over two nights at the Oakland Ballroom.

Selected by Moncler to appear in their “70th Anniversary” marketing campaign for the second time.

November
Received the “Rising Star Music Award” at the Fifth Shinji Hattori Awards.

Performed as a guest drummer for “United Rage” at Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles.

Moved to the United States with her family.

September
Released a collaborative video with Human Beatbox unit Rofu, the 3rd place champions of “Grand Beatbox Battle 2021: World League.”

August
Performed three songs with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra on Sun Stage, the biggest stage of Japan’s largest music festival, “Rising Sun Rock Festival in Ezo.”

Received a U.S. O-1 Visa (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability) thanks to recommendation letters from Ian Paice, Cyndi Lauper, Kenichi Ebina, Marie Kondo, and others.

Selected as the youngest person in Newsweek Japan’s list of “20 Japanese Entertainers Challenging the World.”

July
Appeared in Roland’s “Meet the V-Drums” video.

Released a collaborative video with Man With a Mission’s Jean-Ken Johnny.

Hosted the “YOYOKA LIVE TOUR 2022,” performing in four locations across Japan with Minoru Niihara from Loudness and others, held in Niigata, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and Kyoto.

June
Performed “Sparkling” live in front of 40,000 fans at a Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo soccer game at the Sapporo Dome.

Performed at “Hibiya Music Festival 2022” and collaborated with Def Tech and other popular artists.

May
Collaborated with Friends Around the World to cover Paramore’s “That’s What You Get.”

April
Performed live at the “Las Vegas Spring Festival.”

“Sparkling” was chosen as the official entrance music for the goalkeeper of J1 Soccer Team “Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.”

March
Completed a logo with the assistance of Art Fellowship Project.

Participated in the recording of a new song by Miles Schon, son of Journey guitarist Neal Schon.

Released a collaborative video with nine-year-old Las Vegas bassist Ellen Alaverdyan.

Performed at “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, LA.

Met Anderson .Paak in Las Vegas.

Graduated from elementary school in Japan.

Released “Sparkling,” the first original song under her own name, with contributions from Rhonda Smith and Derek Sherinian. The song topped charts in Japan, Australia, and Italy, and ranked highly in Germany and the U.S.

February
Started appearing as a semi-regular performer on “Creative World,” a television show broadcast weekly on KXLA in Los Angeles.

Started broadcasting on the radio app, Voicy.

Launched a Patreon page.

January
Announced intention to move to the United States.

2021 (Age 11)
November
Collaborated on “School of Rock” cover, with Jack Black promoting it on Instagram.

Received the City of Ishikari Distinguished Citizen Award, becoming the youngest recipient.

Performed as a guest at The Creative Arts Secondary School in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

October
Celebrated 12th birthday with “YOYOKA’s 12th Birthday YouTube Session,” performing with artists such as NoB, Li-Sa-X, and SATSUMA3042.

August
Released a collaborative video with pianist Kairu Kihara.

Performed for three days at “Main Matsuri” in Frankfurt, Germany.

June
Featured in the American drum publication “Modern Drummer.”

May
Appointed Super Visiting Professor at iU (Professional University of Information and Management for Innovation).

April
Covered “Good Times Bad Times” with Tony Franklin, Paulie Z, and Jimmy Sakurai for the David Z Foundation.

March
Featured in “Rhythm & Drums Magazine” in Japan.

January
Released “Grim Grinning Moon at Night” with KANEAI-YOYOKA.

2020 (Age 10)
December
Named the youngest ever to appear on Drummerworld’s list of the world’s Top 500 Drummers.

Recorded drums for 18 songs on Square Enix’s “Fantasy Pixel Remaster.”

Praised by Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice.

October
Released “Utopia” with KANEAI-YOYOKA, featuring Billy Sheehan and YT as guitarists.

September
Released a collaborative video with bassist Billy Sheehan.

June
Released a collaborative video with Filipino actress Yam Concepcion.

April
Joined the “101 Groove Project” with over 100 participants worldwide.

March
Participated in an online charity event on YouTube, raising funds for live music clubs in Hokkaido, donating over $2,000.

Released “Passionate for the Future” with KANEAI-YOYOKA.

February
Performed in Osaka and Kyoto. Most live events canceled after these due to the pandemic.

January
Performed at the Pearl booth of NAMM, the world’s largest musical instrument trade show, as the youngest female and only Japanese drummer.

2019 (Age 9)
December
Gene Simmons of KISS shared a video cover of KISS’s “Detroit Rock City.”

Attended KISS’s Osaka concert and met the band.

Featured in the “YouTube Streamy Awards” in Los Angeles.

October
Appeared in a UNIQLO TV commercial with Kenichi Ebina, Japan’s only “America’s Got Talent” winner, for UNIQLO’s Fleece 25th Anniversary.

September
Performed at “TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION” with a drum solo and collaboration with dancer Bambi Naka for 30,000 audiences.

August
Made a surprise appearance with Fall Out Boy at “Summer Sonic Tokyo,” thrilling over 20,000 audiences..

May
Participated in Moncler’s international campaign “Genius is Born Crazy” in New York alongside Will Smith.

April
Named in Newsweek Japan’s “100 Most Respected Japanese in the World” as the youngest person ever.

February
Appointed junior ambassador for the women’s drum contest “Hit Like a Girl.”

January
Appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” performing Queen’s “Stone Cold Crazy” and receiving global attention after Queen featured the performance.

Performed live at “Whisky a Go Go” in Los Angeles.

2018 (Age 8)
September
Appeared at “TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION” and played at the Saitama Super Arena for 30,000 fans. Signed endorsement contracts with Pearl as the youngest drummer, as well as with Zildjian, Vic Firth, and CYMPAD.

August
Performed at “RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL in EZO,” Japan’s largest music festival, as the youngest ever.

June
Gained international recognition after covering Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” on video, which was featured by NBC, NPR, BBC, Billboard, and Rolling Stone. Praised by Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant on CBC Canada’s “q.”

May
Released the third CD, “YO-YO-YO?” including “Happy,” a song composed, sung, and played on drums.

April
Won the Under 18 Division in the “Hit Like a Girl” global drumming contest as the youngest weekly champion.

2017 (Age 7)
Released the second CD, “Sense!” with KANEAI-YOYOKA, including “Music,” a song composed, sung, and played on drums.

2016 (Age 6)
Released the first CD, “The Promise of Hamanas,” with KANEAI-YOYOKA while still in nursery school. All proceeds donated to support music in Ishikari City.

2015 (Age 5)
Family band KANEAI-YOYOKA was formed, performing original songs at local events and live music clubs. Featured on various TV programs.

2014 (Age 4)
Began live performances.

2010 (Age 1)
Started playing drums before speaking, with daily sessions with family.