Kimiko’s Pearl Receives 2 JUNO Nominations
Bravo Niagara is proud to announce that Kimiko’s Pearl has received two 2026 JUNO Award nominations!
Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble) - Mariko Anraku, Conrad Chow, Ron Korb and Rachel Mercer - Kimiko’s Pearl
Classical Composition of the Year - Kevin Lau - Kimiko’s Pearl
The Kimiko’s Pearl album features composer Kevin Lau’s original full-length score from the ballet commissioned and produced by Bravo Niagara. Blending a contemporary sound with elements of traditional Japanese music, Kimiko’s Pearl bridges past and present in a powerful tribute to a true Canadian story. The recording features Mariko Anraku (harp), Conrad Chow (violin), Ron Korb (Japanese and Western flutes), and Rachel Mercer (cello).
Based on a story by Emmy Award-winning writer Howard Reich and inspired by the family history of Bravo Niagara’s founders Christine Mori and her daughter Alexis Spieldenner, Kimiko’s Pearl is the first ballet based on the Japanese Canadian internment during World War II.
In the words of composer Kevin Lau: “Kimiko’s Pearl was the project of a lifetime: not only because it provided me with a rich canvas upon which I could paint the most cathartic of musical arcs, but because it gave me an opportunity to work with some truly wonderful human beings—artists who, through movement and sound, breathed life into this dark chapter of Canadian history. These JUNO nominations are an honour to the incredible work of our Kimiko’s Pearl team, and I’m thrilled and humbled to be a part of it.”
A story of war, sacrifice and renewal, Kimiko’s Pearl reflects the tragedies, triumphs and perseverance of Japanese Canadians before, during and after the Japanese Canadian internment. Their harsh experiences attest to heroism and hope in the face of racism.
“We are incredibly proud that these artists have been recognized for their extraordinary artistry and grateful for their dedication to sharing this important part of Canadian history,” says Co-Creator and Producer Christine Mori. “It is an honour to share our family’s story and to shine a light on the resilience of the Japanese Canadian community.”
Kimiko’s Pearl was released by Bravo Niagara and is available on all streaming platforms, on CD, and as a limited-edition double vinyl.
