When the lights were on, Risa Kataoka performed John Newton’s inspiring song in koto, a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument.
Kataoka was a member of the J-Classics quartet who were flown in by the Japanese government as part of the celebration of Philippine-Japan friendship this month. The three others were violinist Ayako Ishikawa, flutist Takako Hagiwara and pianist Susumu Aoyagi.