The Thurston Consort will be performing at the Centro Celeste Summer Festival on Sunday, August 30, in the pavilion at Saima Park, starting at noon. Joining us will be our guest artist, acclaimed classical and Jazz violinist Tomoko Iwamoto. The Thurston Consort will be performing chamber music from Latin American including “Estampas Criollas” by Uruguay’s own Beatriz Lockhart.

Born in Osaka, Japan, Tomoko started playing the violin at age 6. As a Suzuki method pupil, Tomoko soon became one of the most advanced students in the studio. Along with her solo repertoire studies, Tomoko began performing with adult orchestras and chamber ensembles.

After graduating from Osaka Kyoiku-dai Tennoji High School, Tomoko moved to Tokyo. She studied electrical engineering at Keio University while playing jazz saxophone and singing in an R&B band. After graduating, Tomoka worked as an electrical engineer in Tokyo for a year before moving to the U.S. to pursue her career as a musician.

​Tomoko studied at Berklee College of Music, where she won the Chairs’ Award. During these years, she toured with the Hypnotic Clambake Ensemble. Being inspired by Turtle Island String Quartet, she formed the jazz string quartet, J-Way (formerly known as Underground String Quartet), for which she wrote many arrangements and original compositions, and performed in the New England area. She also provided arrangements and performed with Axis Electric Strings (Top 40 songs) and Mood Swings Orchestra (jazz big band) as a soloist, and wrote many grade school level arrangements for the Newton All-City Orchestra.

Please join us for “Tarde Espectacular” filled with music, neighbors, and fun!

Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Centro Celeste Summer Festival in the pavilion at Saima Park