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She continues to polish her performing. “I try to take those techniques from all the different teachers and apply them to what I’m singing. I’m always also listening, watching videos and going to concerts, studying how artists write and sing, how they’re saying things, pronouncing things. There’s always room to improve.”. Muraoka knows she also has to understand the business side of music. “I just finished reading a marketing book. The music is the most important thing, of course, but I know I also have to be aware of how the business works. I have to work on developing those skills, too. To be successful, you have to be prepared to be your own best promoter and advocate until, hopefully, someone is willing to help you. So I’m using social media, trying to be as actively involved as possible, reaching out to local radio stations. I just try to be moving forward every day — baby steps. And, of course, playing as much as I can … and hoping people like it.

Since defecting from Cuba and settling in Los Angeles in 2009, the extravagantly gifted pianist has enjoyed a precipitous rise to international prominence, championed and produced by Quincy Jones, While rooted in Cuban music, his new album “Tocororo” (Mack Avenue) features an hanging wooden sign ballerina dancer fairy wings victorian valentine gift for her handmade lily maud ornamental ballet shoes dec eclectic roster of guest artists, and what’s most striking, aside from his prodigious technique, is the way that Rodriguez invites the musicians into his arrangements, The French/Cuban sisters Naomi and Lisa-Kainde Diaz, who perform as Ibeyi and recently contributed to Beyonce’s “Lemonade,” add some sleek R&B gloss to the opening invocation “Yemaya,” while South Indian singer Ganavya Doraiswamy adds soaring vocals to the album’s title track (which takes its name from Cuba’s colorful national bird)..

Sing with Mission Valley Chorus: Are you a woman who loves to sing? Do you want to experience the joy of singing every week? The Mission Valley Chorus invites you sing with the group. Visit any Tuesday, 7:15-10 p.m., at Nordahl Hall, 580 W. Parr Ave., Los Gatos. missionvalley.org. Chinese Book Club: Participants will read and discuss “Frog” by Mo Yan, the 2012 Nobel prize winner for literature in Mandarin that chronicles the history of the People’s Republic of China through the lens of the nation’s controversial one-child policy. June 11, 10:15 a.m.-noon. Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga. sccl.org, 408-867-6126.

Butchery demonstration — 1-4 p.m, Aug, 11, Jessica and Joshua Applestone, owners of New York’s legendary Fleisher’s, will lead a whole pig demonstration class at Cavallo Point — the Lodge at the Golden Gate, 601 Murray Circle, Fort Baker, Sausalito, $125, includes signed copy of Butcher’s Guide to Well Raised Meat, 415-339-4700, www.cavallopoint.com/cooking-classes-and-tastings-august.html, Diablo Ballet’s Gourmet Gallop — 5-8 p.m, Aug, 11, The evening starts with a wine and olive hanging wooden sign ballerina dancer fairy wings victorian valentine gift for her handmade lily maud ornamental ballet shoes dec oil tasting at We Olive, featuring selections from Shadowbrook Winery of Walnut Creek, Then, food tasting at the following stops: Walnut Creek Yacht Club, Massimo, Eleve, Silk Road, Oi-C Bowl, Caffe Delle Stelle, CU Sushi, An exclusive Gallop wine tasting will be at Residual Sugar Wine Bar, Rain or shine, participants will stroll around town at their convenience tasting the gourmet delights from these top restaurants, The dancers from Diablo Ballet will gallop the streets all night long, $40, 925-943-1775, www.diabloballet.org..

Vivace Youth Chorus: The chorus presents “Sing We and Chant It,” featuring the teen ensembles performing a piece written by a chorus members and set to music by local composer Dale Victorine. May 17, 5 p.m. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 20 University Ave., Los Gatos. Vivace YouthChorus.org. Two Wives: Jewish Circle Theatre presents the premiere of a play inspired by the biblical story of Ya’akov, Rachel and Leah. May 11, 7 p.m. APJCC, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos. jewishcir cletheatre.org.