Kimiko’s Pearl Wins JUNO Award!

Bravo Niagara is proud to announce that Kimiko’s Pearl has won the 2026 JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble) for the album Kevin Lau: Kimiko’s Pearl, performed by Mariko Anraku, Conrad Chow, Ron Korb and Rachel Mercer. Kevin Lau’s composition Kimiko’s Pearl was also nominated for Classical Composition of the Year.

Presented annually by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), the JUNO Awards recognize excellence in Canadian music. The award was presented at the 2026 JUNO Awards Gala on March 28, 2026, in Hamilton, Ontario.

The Kimiko’s Pearl album features composer Kevin Lau’soriginal score from the full-length 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 (traditional Japanese shinobue and Western flute), 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 and Kimiko’s Pearl Co-Creators, Christine Mori and her daughter Alexis Spieldenner, Kimiko’s Pearl is the first ballet based on the Japanese Canadian internment during World War II.  

“It is an honour to share our family’s story and pay tribute to the resilience of the Japanese Canadian community,” says Co-Creator and Producer Christine Mori. “We are grateful that Kimiko’s Pearl can help shine a light on this dark chapter in Canadian history and hope this music takes listeners on a journey of intergenerational healing and hope.”

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.

Kimiko’s Pearl was released by Bravo Niagara and is available on all streaming platforms and as a limited-edition double vinyl.

Album Credits

Music composed by: Kevin Lau
Mariko Anraku, harp
Conrad Chow, violin
Ron Korb, Japanese & Western flutes
Rachel Mercer, cello

Sound design: Aaron Tsang
Recorded and mixed by: Aaron Tsang
Mastered by: Ryoji Hata, Sound Essence Masters NYC
Producers: Christine Mori, Alexis Spieldenner & Ron Korb
Album design: Jeri Heiden / SMOG Design, Inc.

Executive Producer: Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts
Kimiko’s Pearl Co-Creators: Christine Mori & Alexis Spieldenner