A piano recital featuring an internationally acclaimed pianist, for a good cause.

After nearly two years, the earthquake and tsunami affected Tohoku area is still recovering and in need of assistance. Various organizations have been lending a hand and one of them is Seacology.

The international environmental non-profit organization is focused on saving the endangered species, habitats and cultures of islands throughout the world. And since the Tohoku earthquake of 2011, Seacology Japan, a branch of Seacology International, has been concentrating its relief efforts on the island of Kesennuma Oshima.

Those efforts come in all forms, and music is one of them – after all, music brings people together. Pianist Tanya Bannister will perform for a charity piano recital next week, and the event will collect funds for the earthquake and tsunami relief. The efforts are focused on helping the children of the affected region, a process that is ongoing.

Tanya Bannister, whose mother is Japanese, is a leading pianist of her generation and has played in many of the world’s great concert halls. Born in Hong Kong, she learned how to play the piano at five and pursued her studies at the Royal Academy in London and Yale.

She has played with orchestras all over the world and won the Concert Artists Guild International Competition in 2003 and the Gold Medal at the New Orleans International Piano Competition in 2005.

The 600-seat Nikkei Hall hosts the recital in its prestigious surroundings near the Imperial Palace and if you wish to help out for the earthquake and tsunami relief and enjoy classic music, this could be a great way to contribute. Have a look at the preview video, above, for more information on Tanya Bannister and some of the charity work being done in the area.

Before the recital, there will be an introduction about Seacology and Kesennuma Oshima from Dr. Paul Alan Cox, an Ethnobotanist and Chairman of Seacology. Then, the recital begins, with Bannister adding some Japanese folk songs to her repertory for the night; part of her aim is to entertain the children the money the concert will gain could benefit.

Charity Piano Recital

When: Friday Nov. 30 18:30 (Recital starts at 19.45)

Where: Nikkei Hall (see map)

How much: ¥3,000

More Info: See website or buy tickets here. Alternatively you can find them on Facebook or call 03 5332 3018.