A story of war, sacrifice and renewal based on the Japanese Canadian internment of WWII, Kimiko’s Pearl is a new ballet that unfurls the bittersweet story of one family spanning four generations. It is told through the eyes of Kimiko, a 15-year-old Toronto girl who discovers an old family trunk containing her great-grandfather’s diary and other precious keepsakes. As Kimiko reads the diary, her family’s tale comes to life before her eyes.

Inspired by the family history of Bravo Niagara!’s co-founders Christine Mori and Alexis Spieldenner, Kimiko’s Pearl is based on a story by Emmy Award winner Howard Reich. The production features an original score by Kevin Lau, choreography by Yosuke Mino, and three generations of Japanese Canadian visual artists and musicians.  

The world premiere of the ballet was presented by the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in June 2024 and featured dancers from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Vancouver Coastal City Ballet. In April 2025, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra premiered Kevin Lau’s Symphonic Suite from Kimiko’s Pearl at Roy Thomson Hall, conducted by Maestro Gustavo Gimeno.

In 2026, the Kimiko’s Pearl album — featuring Mariko Anraku (harp), Conrad Chow (violin), Ron Korb (Japanese and Western flutes), and Rachel Mercer (cello) — won the JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble).

The music is now available on vinyl. Explore more at www.kimikospearl.com