News & Events - USA Pavilion

Resident Performers

Cohort 3

Theodore Chaffman is an American pianist based in Washington, D.C. Trained at The Juilliard School, he brings a refined touch and deep listening to the concert stage—blending classical repertoire with thoughtful improvisation. His performances have been featured by global institutions such as the World Bank and U.S. State Department, offering music as a space for cross-cultural dialogue. At Expo 2025 Osaka, Theodore presents a solo program of American, Japanese, and global works, sharing the piano as a meeting point between tradition and innovation. His approach reflects a quiet dedication to craft, harmony, and exchange—honoring the values of each culture he encounters.

Brianna Tam

Using her bare feet, her loop station, and her electric cello, Brianna Tam envelops listeners in her mesmerizing and dynamic symphonic realm while simultaneously capturing their hearts with her charming and charismatic personality. Based in Los Angeles, Brianna has captivated audiences at events ranging from immersive headliner concerts to transcendent EDM shows, and she has composed award-winning soundtracks for feature films and biopics. Her inspiring single, “Bioluminescence,” was awarded First Place for the 2022 International Songwriting Competition. Brianna continues to captivate audiences worldwide with her innovative artistry and emotionally evocative soundscapes.

DJ Knockers

DJ Knockers is a Miami-based DJ, turntablist, and producer known for his genre-blending sound and technical mastery. Widely regarded as one of the top turntablists in the U.S., DJ Knockers blends hip hop, electronic music, and turntablism to create dynamic, high-energy performances. A dedicated educator, Knockers serves as Head Instructor at Scratch DJ Academy – Miami and teaches abroad with Next Level in the Philippines. He is also the Co-Founder of Skratcher Miami, a community-building initiative that unites local DJs and turntablists. DJ Knockers continues to shape the future of DJ culture, both through his craft and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent.

Sosh & Mosh

Sosh & Mosh, the powerhouse duo of brothers Sasha Taylor and Max Taylor, are trailblazers in the underground dance music scene. Born and raised in the culture, they’ve made it their mission to cultivate and expand the underground community that shaped them. Their music is a bold, genre-defying blend of house, funk, old-school rhythms, avant-garde experimentation, and electric guitar riffs. In true independent spirit, Sasha and Max founded Groove Factory, a collective and warehouse party series that has quickly become a pivotal platform for underground music lovers. With 16 releases under their belt, Sosh & Mosh are gearing up for the release of their next EP, positioning themselves as innovators in the evolving world of dance music.

Caroline Cotter

A singer/songwriter born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. Caroline has played more than 1,000 shows in 45 states and 16 countries. Her music is inspired and influenced by American jazz, country, bluegrass, rock, pop, Broadway, Americana and gospel, as well as musicians such as Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Joan Baez. Caroline is known for her artistic excellence and her ability to aptly represent the Americana singer-songwriter tradition.

Resident Performers

Cohort 2

The Carolina Jazz Ensemble

The Carolina Jazz Ensemble, rooted in the lineages of American Blues, R&B, and Jazz, celebrates the history and evolution of American music. As a Jazz Fusion ensemble merging genres in the spirit of improvisation, they move fluidly between laid back contemporary Pop-R&B to high-energy Jazz Standards. Whether fronted by powerhouse vocalist Riley Rae, or as a traditional Jazz Quartet, you will be sure to experience the ever-changing traditions of American music.

Made up of accomplished artists all hailing from North Carolina, their collective performance experience spans Europe, The Middle East, South America and around the United States at iconic venues including Carnegie Hall, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, and The Blue Note.

Kayley Bishop

Kayley Bishop is a Nashville-based recording artist with a voice that’s equal parts power and poetry. Her sound travels a well-worn highway between country, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll- with detours into gospel roots that stir the spirit. A finalist on Season 15 of NBC’s The Voice, Kayley has since carved out her own path as a full-time independent artist, touring nationally and writing songs that carry both conviction and comfort.

Amanda Pascali

Singer-songwriter Amanda Pascali writes music that speaks to the experience of growing up as a first-generation American, and with her songs going viral on social media, she has amassed hundreds of thousands of fans around the globe. Blending folk/Americana influences with Mediterranean, Balkan, and Latin rhythms, Amanda’s songs are powerful tales of America. Born in New York City and now based in Texas, Amanda has performed internationally, from the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. to the European Union Parliament in Brussels, and around the world.

SYNKO

SYNKO is an award-winning, multicultural, and multilingual five-member dance crew from Charlotte, NC that seamlessly blends American street dance roots with the vibrant energy of Korean pop. Since their debut in 2022, this crew has dominated the competitive dance scene, securing victories in every contest they’ve entered. Known for their genre-bending creativity and electrifying performances, they continue to cement their reputation as a rising force in global dance. With a mix of original choreography and covers, SYNKO pays tribute to the genres that sparked a cultural wave—including hip-hop, vogue, R&B, and house.

Skylar and William

Skylar Tang is a multidisciplinary musician known for her dynamic trumpet playing and profound compositions. Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, Skylar currently studies History and Jazz Performance at Columbia University and The Juilliard School in New York. William Schwartzman is a jazz performance major and pianist at The Juilliard School and a graduate of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Combining their artistries, acclaimed musicians Skylar and William take the audience on a captivating and emotional journey. Through soulful compositions and reimagined jazz standards, they display virtuosity and trust, sharing a message of peace and hope for the future.

John Michalak

John Michalak is a saxophonist and flautist who has performed in 54 countries as a featured soloist with numerous accliamed musical artists and in prestigious venues around the world.
Inspired by the vast musical experiences, John performs internationally recognized songs from a variety of genres, including classic and contemporary Jazz, Latin, R&B and Soul, incorporating improvisational elements within each style.

Resident Performers

Cohort 1

Andrew Kasab

Andrew Kasab is a renowned guitarist, harp guitarist and singer-songwriter. He is known for his energetic performances, using traditional and contemporary techniques, arrangements of modern and older works across a wide spectrum of styles for the guitar and harp guitar and has been performing around the United States for over 30 years.

Champion Native American Hoop Dancers of the Southwest USA

This award-winning Native American artist group has travelled all over the world showcasing this beautiful, cultural dance. The three-member group excels at the physically demanding art form in which the dancer manipulates hoops while dancing to the tempo and song of the Native American drummer/singer. This special and unique performance is one not to be missed.

Leonieke & The New York Groove

Led by Hammond/Suzuki artist Leonieke Scheuble, this jazz quartet has roots in blues, swing, and Latin American rhythms. Award-winning artist Leonieke brings old-school groove with fresh energy, and is backed by the incredible John Michalak, Ilan Eisensweig and Nick Scheuble, making a true jazz powerhouse team.

Molodi

Step dance and body percussion group Molodi provides a lesson in step dance and its important place in American cultural history. The group’s lively and energetic performances encourage visitors to join in the fun and always have the crowd up on their feet.

Ruby Hayes

An American jazz & blues powerhouse with a legacy of soulful storytelling, Ruby has starred in film and TV features, performed for dignitaries and American presidents, and toured throughout Asia. Her set includes some original songs and true crowd pleasers.

Special Guests

The Western Flyers

Powerhouse Western swing outfit ‘The Western Flyers’ serve up an irresistibly hot, unmistakably Texas-style sound with an electrifying energy all their own. Delivering a mix of Western Swing, 1940’s swing & jazz classics, feel good honky tonk, vintage country & fiery Texas fiddle tunes, the Ameripolitan Western Swing group of the Year is guaranteed to have even the shyest of wallflowers tappin’ their toes or swingin’ on the dance floor.

Janet Axelrod

Janet Axelrod is a professional flutist: solo and collaborative artist, educator, and producer. Janet performed for over 20 years at Radio City Music Hall in NY, and on Broadway in shows such as “The Lion King,” “Wicked,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” and many others. She has performed and toured with artists such as Brian Wilson, Deep Purple, and Andrea Bocelli. Janet is also a passionate world flute artist, performing on native flutes from various cultures across all continents and she has taught at various schools throughout the U.S. including The Julliard School and Manhattan School.

Katina

Katina is a pop singer/songwriter, producer, classical cellist, and conductor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has performed extensively, conducted symphony orchestras and has written and co-produced a catalog of pop songs. Awarded a merit scholarship at age 16 at The Juilliard School, New York, USA. She is pursuing undergraduate studies there in cello performance.

Chad Cannon

Chad Cannon is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated from Harvard and Juilliard. He has worked on documentaries and series for the likes of Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Sony Playstation, and on numerous acclaimed films. Fluent in Japanese, Cannon has a close working relationship with Joe Hisaishi, including doing arrangements for the globally-performed Joe Hisaishi Symphonic Concert: Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki. He is also a current delegate for the US-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP).

III Marine Expeditionary Force Band (III MEF Band)

The III Marine Expeditionary Force Band is the United States Marine Corps’ forward deployed musical unit located in Okinawa, Japan. The Popular Music Group is the III MEF Band’s high-energy rock and pop cover band, providing top hits and entertainment. This 5-member group has performed on massive stages in Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Seoul, and continues to create new friendships wherever they play.

One Voice Children's Choir

One Voice Children’s Choir began at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah and has grown into a unique force in the entertainment world, with a mission to inspire the world through the power of children’s voices. Quarter-finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent Season 9, performing at the White House, global touring,and most recently hitting number one on the Billboard Kid Album chart. With over 5 million followers and more than 1.2 billion streams, One Voice Children’s Choir has become wellknown for original arrangements of popular music sung dynamically by children and youth ages 6 to 18. By incorporating songs from various cultures and languages, they aim to bridge cultural divides and connect people worldwide.

Merritt Moore, Robot & Co.

In a striking convergence of art and technology, this performance unites world-renowned dancers and cutting-edge robots. Led by Dr. Merritt Moore, quantum physicist and professional ballerina, the cast features internationally renowned artists Shane Urton, Pontus Lidberg, Tyson Clark, Natalie Palmgren, and Kayleigh Smerud, hailing from prestigious companies such as Boston Ballet, Ballet Vlaanderen, Ballet de Nice, Norwegian National Ballet, and more. Together with industrial collaborative robots, they transform the stage into a poetic dialogue between precision and intuition—inviting audiences to imagine new futures at the intersection of dance, technology, and AI.

Nightly

Nightly is the electrifying alt-pop indie band from Nashville, Tennessee that’s taking the industry by storm, and performing throughout the U.S. and globally with both headline and support tours and major music festivals. The band’s ever-evolving sound showcases expansive production, infectious melodies, and personal storytelling.

Cy Mackey

Cyrus Mackey is an accomplished trumpeter, composer, and producer from Chicago. Cyrus achieved recognition as a 2019 National Young Arts Foundation Finalist in Jazz/ Trumpet and was selected as a Fellow at Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute for Jazz Composition. Since 2019, he has been honing his craft at the Peabody Institute and expanding his musical journey in Baltimore.

The Midway Brass

The Midway Brass is a dynamic brass quintet formed in 2023 and based at the University of Kansas. The group features an ensemble of rising stars.

University of Kansas Wind Ensemble

Recognized as one of the nation’s premier collegiate wind bands, the ensemble will perform a series of concerts both independently and in collaboration with Osaka University of the Arts. Highlighting KU’s global reach and commitment to musical excellence, the performances will feature a diverse program celebrating American music and composers, alongside joint concerts with Japanese musicians performing iconic selections from both countries’ musical traditions.

Daniel Verstappen

As part of his global tour, Daniel will join for a special performance that features a repertoire including American soundtracks, film music, as well as his own compositions and improvisations. His performance will highlight iconic works from American composers, offering a unique musical experience that blends classical mastery, original works, and spontaneous creativity.

Daniel Ho & Friends

Daniel Ho & Friends will present a fun and entertaining program of Hawaiian music and hula dance, with stories about the Islands, and a chance to learn a little hula and Hawaiian language.

Kyle Dillingham

As America’s Fiddling Ambassador, Kyle brings the energy and soul of Americana music to the world stage, blending tradition with innovation. To emphasize music’s universal nature, Kyle seamlessly weave in diverse styles and selections from around the globe— including Arabic, French, Chinese, and Japanese—showing how music transcends borders to connect us all.

Phoenix Children's Chorus

Phoenix Children’s Chorus believes in creating global citizens through diverse travel, with music as the universal language shared by all people. This common ground allows choristers in Phoenix Children’s Chorus to create meaningful connections with others from around the world.
Since 1984, Phoenix Children’s Chorus has been transforming children’s lives through music by facilitating artistic, musical, and cultural development, and offering world-class choral education.

Wataru Kozuki

Takarazuka Theater legend Wataru Kozuki is an acclaimed singer and actress who also performed in the Broadway hit show Chicago and wowed audiences at the USA Pavilion stage with her stunning performance of “All That Jazz” and “My Own Best Friend.”

Ohio State University Wind Symphony

The Ohio State University Wind Symphony, conducted by Professor Russel C. Mikkelson, gave an unforgettable performance, showcasing the group’s diverse range of instrucements and world-class musicanship.

Chief Shaka Zulu Present New Orleans Voices of Congo Square

Through music, song, and dance, Chief Shaka Zulu presents New Orleans Voices of Congo Square—a powerful cultural demonstration of the New Orleans Indigenous Masking Societies, also known as Black Masking Indians or Mardi Gras Indians, Audiences were thrilled to experienced the vibrant traditions, ancestral rhythms, and vibrant performance.

University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band

The Trojan Marching Band, USC Song Leaders, and USC Spirit Leaders performed their trademark fight songs and pop hits, featuring dancing and stunts. In addition to playing at every Trojan football game since 1987, the band is known as “Hollywood’s Band” for its frequent appearances in movies and on television. The band has performed for nine U.S. Presidents, played at three Super Bowls, and performed at two Olympic Games, and in 19 countries.

Isseii Takahashi

World Baton Twirling Champion, Issei Takahashi was born and raised in Saga Prefecture, and has been performing internationally for many years and has participated in four world championships. Among many awards, he won second place in the Senior Men’s Twirling Grand Prix in 2017, and fourth place in the Senior Men’s Freestyle Division at the World Baton Twirling Championships in 2018. He is currently performing at the VIVA Fest Circus in Las Vegas.

News Coverage

25 Things to See and Do at Osaka’s World Expo 2025 (The New York Times)

2025-02-04

BRC Imagination Arts Brings Immersive Storytelling and Experiences to the U.S.A. Pavilion at World Expo Osaka 2025 (EXHIBITOR)

2024-12-04

BRC Imagination Arts unveils USA Pavilion theme and mascot (InPark Magazine)

2024-12-04

Trahan Architects designs USA pavilion with suspended cube for Expo 2025 Osaka (Dezeen)

2024-01-31