About Mio

Mio the musician

I started playing the piano from a very early age; my first public recital was at the age of three in my Town Hall. I have been classically trained at the prestigious Yamaha Music Academy in Japan. I graduated at the State University of New York for both a B.A. (Dean’s Honor for outstanding achievement) in Liberal Arts and also a B.A. in Performing Arts and Science that included classical music, jazz piano, music history, music theory and harmony. I then moved to London to study at St Martin's College of Art & Design.

In 1998 in Japan I was introduced to the Koto Harp and still play this instrument to this day. I began playing lever harp in 2000 and a deep passion to master the concert pedal harp unfolded. The love for the beauty and grace of the harp is one of the reasons I settled in Scotland.

I became a professional harpist (pedal and lever) in Scotland in 2003 and became a professional pianist in 2013 having played piano since childhood and built my solo career from then until now. I studied under the acclaimed harpists Iain Hood, Park Stickney, Savourna Stevenson, Isobel Mieras MBE, and Alina Bzhezhinska. I attracted my first Harpist in Residence in Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel in 2009 and then moved to be Harpist and Pianist in Residence at Edinburgh’s Waldorf Astoria The Caledonian Hotel in 2013. I also became a Harpist in Residence at The Royal Yacht Britannia in 2009 and later in 2013 I also became a Pianist in Residence. I have had numerous online comments/feedback (see appendix 1) to the Waldorf Astoria Caledonian Hotel and The Royal Yacht Britannia which can be seen on this website.

In 2007 I recorded my debut 11 track album of my own compositions of harp music: ‘Music in the Air – Heart Fragrance’. My second recorded album ‘Calling the Muse’ is 15 tracks and is a mixture of my own compositions and arrangements.

During lockdown I had a number of online harp performances with my storytelling, which included performances to 21 primary school classes (615 children and 21 teachers). Furthermore, I did storytelling sessions with the harp for the musicians and community of the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra and the Japanese English Teachers Association Alumni (JETAA). In January 2020, I also learnt six pieces of Robert Burns music to play live during filming of ‘Supper with Robert Burns’ at the Scottish Story Telling Centre (online on 25th Jan).

Also, during lockdown, I was asked to provide a combination of music and Japanese culture online for an events package supporting Edinburgh Arts Centre's exhibition of the Scottish artist E.A. Hornel. Furthermore, I contributed online to the Edinburgh Multicultural Festival and Hidden Door.

I am also grateful to Creative Scotland for the grant support to extend my repertoire and develop my musicianship.

Mio the Urasenke Japanese Tea Master: 'Chado' the way of tea

Mio Shudo is an Urasenke Master of the Japanese Tea Ceremony, and with this ‘Cup of Peace’ she shares the philosophy and a deeper insight into the heart of Japan.

Mio received her Master qualification from the Grand Master Sen Soshitsu the 15th- generation Grand Master.

The detailed and precise ritual of the tea ceremony offers an opportunity for guests to step away from the world’s noise and distractions and reconnect with the gifts of balance and calm that are so often buried beneath the demands of daily life.

Hospitality is at the heart of the Japanese Tea Ceremony, as is, Ichi Go Ichi E, meaning: “one chance one meeting”. This describes a cultural concept of treasuring the unrepeatable nature of a moment. Further to this, Wa Kei Sei Jaku, are four principles, meaning harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity that are fundamental in the way of tea.

Chado, also known as “a cup of peace”, invites you to look inward with tenderness, kindness to yourself and cheerfulness. The opportunity is to become serene in moments of quiet stillness and gentleness. This isn't about striving or reaching; it’s about building a culture of peace from within to radiate outward through oneness with the wider environment.

Mio Shudo is also a recognised Japanese cultural expert who has facilitated talks and workshops for over 25 years on a variety of topics across Scotland.

Mio the International Storyteller

Mio loves to tell stories that celebrate the wonder, mystery, wisdom and magic of the natural world in all its many colours, enriching the tales with her harp playing.

Her ever-expanding repertoire contains many traditional Japanese Folktales, humorously conveying a Zen philosophy, which, as a teacher and Master of the Japanese Tea Ceremony, she embodies in her own life. Her stories inspire reflection, transformation, tranquility, peace and respect and gratitude for all of creation.

Mio believes that once upon a time the oral tradition of storytelling was the strengthening bond of the community and sees it as a seed of life. As a poet and artist, Mio loves to enthusiastically share story creation games with her audiences. She performs wearing a traditional Japanese Kimono from her large collection which adds to her charismatic and authentic eastern presence.

Mio grew up in the Japanese Alps, where the crescent moon bear, tortoise, salamanders, eagles, fireflies, and 100 species of dragonflies and butterflies still dwell.

Mio has told stories professionally in Canada, Japan, France and the UK. She has a diverse menu of performances on offer, which can be tailor-made to suit schools' needs, including residential programmes.