Karin was born and raised in Japan, where she trained in Japanese Traditional Dance as well as singing and acting. Before she received her BS in Educational Theater from New York University, she received an AS degree from Obirin Junior College in Tokyo, Japan. 

 

Karin has performed  for young audiences both in Japan and the US.  She has taught acting and dance summer camp for the kids' performance project in New York's Central Park. Karin has also taught origami for children and adults at schools and conventions. 

 

Karin performed as a full-time actor/storyteller at Walt Disney World from 1999 till 2010. During her first several years at Disney, she performed in the street comedy theater at Epcot’s UK, Italy, France and Norway Pavilions.  She later created and starred in her one-woman storytelling show at the Japan Pavilion for four years.  Karin now returns to Epcot every year to perform at Japan Pavilion during Holidays Around the World.

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She was featured at the 47th National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough TN as an Exchange Place teller.

 

Karin has performed as a Japanese storyteller, Japanese traditional dancer/singer and bilingual master of ceremony at the following locations and events:

 

The 47th National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN

Walt Disney World Epcot’s Japan Pavilion

Carnegie Hall, NY

Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, NY

EastWest Story Festival San Francisco, CA

National Storytelling Network Showcase Fremont, CA

Full Sail University, FL

Fall Family Festival, Dominican University, IL

Young Author's Conference, Joliet, IL

Oak Forest High School, Oak Park, IL

Hatch Elementally School, IL

Canton Public Library, MO

Canton R-V Elementary School, MO

Happy Time Preschool, MO

Missouri Botanical Garden Japan Festival, MO

Polk State College, FL

New Voice, St. Louis Storytelling Pre-Festival, MO

Culver-Stockton College, MO

Piedmont College GA

Asian Storytelling Concert, Kansas City

NY Botanical Garden, NY

Riverside Church, NY

NY Japan club, NY

Noguchi Memorial Hospital , NY

Oswego College, NY

Lotus Dance Studio Storytelling Festival, NY

New Perspective Theater One-act Festival, NY

University of Florida, FL

Augusta Middle School, GA

Miami Botanical Garden, FL

Orlando Japan Festival, FL

NY Mayors Mansion, NY

Mets Studio, NY

Panda Express award ceremony, FL

NY City Hall, NY

Gotham Comedy Club, NY