Australian Youth Orchestra
From AYO to the World Stage: Duo Aki to Perform at the Osaka World Expo 2025
AYO Alumni Eden Annesley and Lola Schuele are set to take the stage at the Australia Pavilion during the Osaka World Expo in April 2025 as Duo Aki.
Eden and Lola first met at the 2024 Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp before reconnecting in Japan later that year as recipients of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s New Colombo Plan scholarship. With deep roots in classical music, the duo is now embracing cross-disciplinary collaboration as part of their artistic journey.
Their program, before/now/after, celebrates Australian composers and original works by Duo Aki, inspired by Japanese folk songs. Through the distinctive combination of saxophone, violin, looping, and shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute), the program invites audiences to experience cross-cultural storytelling in a fresh and dynamic way.
before/now/after explores elements of Australia’s diverse landscape and culture, enhanced by visual design from Danish artist Monica Vejgaard. The program features collaborations with both emerging and established composers, including Imogen Ferdinando, Hayley Wolters, and Keyna Wilkins.
“Our performance takes audiences on a three-part journey, reflecting on the lessons we’ve learned in Japan and how they resonate with Australia’s unique identity on a global stage,” shares Lola.
Duo Aki’s name is a tribute to their Japanese musical mentor, world-renowned shakuhachi artist Akikazu Nakamura, and also means “autumn” in Japanese. Their performance at Expo 2025 is proudly supported by the Australian Government as part of Australia’s participation in the event.
Follow their journey on Instagram: @duo.aki