Shara began her study of the classics with influences as varied as Motohiko Hino and Elvis Jones. After sinking eight years of devotion and hard work into her craft, she made a name for herself in the Tokyo jazz world and gained the respect of her fellow musicians. In 1992, Shara joined Himiko, an all-female traditional drum group learning and playing wadako, Japanese drum, and toured throughout Japan. In 1998, Shara moved to New Orleans. She graduated from Delgado with a jazz study major. In addition, Shara took lessons in funk, New Orleans R&B, and New Orleans style drumming from Jeffrey “Jelly Bean” Alexander, of George Porter and Snooks Eaglin. Her “open air” mentors include a veritable list of New Orleans greats in jazz, funk, brass band, blues, zydeco and other areas, namely James Rivers, Marva Wright, Kermit Ruffins, Johnny Vidacovich, Victor Atkins, Jesse Boyd, Leroy Jones, Chief Alfred Doucette, Doug Belote, Robert Snow, Tuba Fats, “Sunpie” Barnes, Louis Ford, Phil Campo, Cyril Neville, Rockin’ Jake & More. A master at Japanese Taiko drumming, Shara is now equally at home playing modern jazz, funk, R&B, blues, New Orleans traditional jazz and second line snare. Shara is long a mainstay on the music scene in New Orleans, as well as in Japan. 

Bio Provided by FQF Inc.