Born in 1977, Kanako Fuwa came to the United States from Japan in 2001. A survivor of Hurricane Katrina and violent crime, she was inspired to use her lifelong passion for music to help others heal. She holds degrees in Classical Vocal Music from Japan and Music Therapy from Sam Houston State University, where she completed her clinical internship as a music therapist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas and received a scholarship for four years.

Kanako has traveled to developing regions of India, Nepal, Thailand, and Bangladesh, volunteering at Mother Teresa’s orphanage and hospital for the dying, and supporting children in local schools.

She currently works as a music therapist at Touro and Ochsner hospitals for oncology patients, and at Lantern Light for victims of crime. Kanako also runs a private music studio with nearly 50 students, integrating therapeutic approaches into her teaching and exploring the powerful connection between the brain and music in healing.