Mizu: Avant-garde cellist who dances with her instrument
Mizu, a cellist and composer from New York, combines her classical background with elements of theater. She began playing piano at the age of five and later studied cello at Juilliard. Mizu has independently released two albums, Distant Intervals (2023) and Forest Scenes (2024), which feature acoustic elements and innovative movement. Her focus on the physical aspect of performance mirrors her journey as a trans individual. After performing as the opening act for Tim Hecker at Pioneer Works, choreographers Baye & Asa invited her to create music for 4 | 2 | 3 at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Her work has been showcased at the Rewire Festival 2024 and venues like the Brooklyn Museum and Noguchi Museum. Both The New York Times and Pitchfork have lauded her, and she cherishes memories of singing folk songs with her grandfather during summers in Japan.
Key facts
- Mizu is a New York-based avant-garde cellist, composer, and performer.
- She studied cello at Juilliard School.
- She self-produced albums Distant Intervals (2023) and Forest Scenes (2024).
- Her performances involve moving the cello in unconventional positions, almost dancing.
- She opened for Tim Hecker at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn.
- Baye & Asa invited her to compose for 4 | 2 | 3 at Baryshnikov Arts Center.
- European debut at Rewire Festival 2024.
- Performed at Brooklyn Museum, Noguchi Museum, and in Rome and Turin.
- Praised by The New York Times and Pitchfork.
- She defines art as a creation that moves her.
- She prefers to be called a musician, not an artist.
- She admires Caspar David Friedrich's Wanderer above the Sea of Fog.
- Her favorite piece is Schumann's Eusebio from Carnaval, Op. 9.
- Recent projects include a 12-hour performance with an experimental cake artist.
- She will release a short EP soon.
- She spent summers in Japan with her grandfather, who wanted to be a musician.
Entities
Artists
- Mizu
- Tim Hecker
- Baye & Asa
- Caspar David Friedrich
- Robert Schumann
Institutions
- Juilliard School
- Pioneer Works
- Baryshnikov Arts Center
- Rewire Festival
- Brooklyn Museum
- Noguchi Museum
- MAO – Museo d’Arte Orientale
- The New York Times
- Pitchfork
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
Locations
- New York
- Brooklyn
- Rome
- Turin
- Japan