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Please note that this is provided for historical reference only, and applies to Otakon of the past. This is provided for reference only, and does not reflect a current or upcoming Otakon event.

the Indigo
Miki Taoka (vocals and lyrics)
Yuichi Ichikawa (composition and arrangement)
http://www.the-indigo.com/

Sometimes a great collaboration can happen out of nowhere. Pop duo “The Indigo” is one such meeting of the minds. Comprised of vocalist/lyricist Mika Taoka and composer Yuichi Ichikawa, Indigo endeavors to bring their smooth, soulful music to fans worldwide.

Taoka and Ichikawa met when Taoka was just starting out as a musician. Her demonstration tapes caught Ichikawa's eye and they got to know each other through their mutual love of music. They became “The Indigo” in 1998 and the following year, they created their first single, BLUE. BLUE was released as a CD single in 2000, and it became an instant hit with fans and industry leaders alike. They've since followed the success of BLUE with numerous other records, including RECORDS, sound of fragrance, GLIDER, and SONG IS LOVE. Along the way, the Indigo has also done a few themes for anime: Namo Shirenu Hana (Anonymous Flower), the ending for Ai Yori Aoshi, and Under the Blue Sky, the ending theme for Mahou Tsukai no Taisetsu na Koto (Someday's Dreamers).Otakon marks The Indigo's first trip stateside, and they'll be bringing a brand-new, domestic release of their compilation album, Indigo Suite, with them.

Kumiko Kato
http://www.kumikokato.com/

A bright, young starlet in the Japanese music world, Kumiko Kato is delighted to meet and perform for anime and J-Pop fans across North America. Kumiko has been around music all her life, with a father who played bass in the hit late 70s pop band "Sentimental City Romance" and a mother who took her to musicals in her hometown of Nagoya. Kumiko also sat down with the piano at an early age. But it was not until she heard Namie Amuro's stirring performance on television that Kumiko, at the age of ten, realized the dream she was destined to follow.

Inspired by Amuro as well as Janet Jackson, Kumiko spent her teenage years building a strong foundation in dance, winning regional awards in everything from jazz to classical ballet to traditional Japanese dance. At the same time, she balanced her lessons with several part-time jobs, hoping she could save enough money to visit America someday. Kumiko achieved her goal when she turned eighteen, and as soon as she arrived in New York, she knew she had found the missing piece of her musical puzzle.

Today, Kumiko splits her time between Tokyo and New York, taking vocal lessons and practicing for hours each day in preparation for her US debut single, "Thinking of You." For its August 2005 release from Sounday Records, Kumiko would like to share this message with you. "I sing from my heart, and I dance from my soul," she says, "So I know you will love it!"

Piano Squall
Michael Gluck
http://www.pianosquall.com/

Michael "Piano Squall" Gluck is a cosplaying pianist specializing in game and anime music performance. In his own words:

"It all started back in elementary school. I played my first Final Fantasy and fell in love with the music. At that point, I took up the piano to learn my favorite Final Fantasy songs and never stopped playing. Today, I enjoy arranging and performing just about any game or anime piece that I hear."

Piano Squall has performed live at anime conventions such as Otakon, I-Con, Connecticon, Tekkoshocon, Kunicon and many more. He also tours at colleges around the country and enjoys giving concerts to raise money for various charities.

"There is nothing I love more than using my music to make people happy. I am honored to perform for you at Otakon 2005."