About Us!

We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and growing the video game music and Japanese music community throughout the Pacific Northwest. Through live events, educational programming, and artist support, we help connect musicians, fans, and creators across the PNW.

Our Mission

To cultivate and support the growing video game music and Japanese music (VGM/J-Music) community throughout the Pacific Northwest through live performances, educational programming, and community engagement.

What We Do

Organize live performances and community events
Provide educational programming and resources
Maintain a regional artist network
Support collaboration among musicians and creators

Our Goals

Grow the VGM and J-Music community in the Pacific Northwest
Create performance opportunities for musicians
Support education and skill development
Build a sustainable network of artists and organizations
Serve as a hub for VGM and J-Music in the region

Meet our Staff!

Veronica Tyler Christie

Board of Directors - President

| Vancouver, WA | Trombone, Bass Trombone, Vocals | Socials: @sometimes__v |

Veronica Tyler Christie but known as V is a lifetime musician, and nonprofit professional specializing in nonprofit governance, community engagement, and tangible organizational leadership. She is a longtime bass trombonist of 7th Street Big Band, the previous board president of MAGFest Inc, community development director of Chromatic Brass Collective, founder of the Gamer Bones and now the band leader of the freshly formed Beat Rush Big Band. She runs her own business Limitbreak which is the foundation that launched Vancouver Games and Music Festival in Washington. Aside from her commitment to community building, she continues her search for every korok in Breath of the Wild.

Erik Gonzalez Lazo

Board of Directors - Treasurer

| Portland, OR | Saxophone, Trumpet | Socials: @erikgl_sax |

Erik is a Portland-based multi-instrumentalist and first-generation Mexican immigrant who bridges the gap between live horn sections and gaming culture. He gigs across town on saxophone and EWI as the bandleader for Under the Deku Tree, a group known for turning VGM and J-Music into high-energy jazz, funk, and fusion arrangements unlike anything you've heard before. When he's not on stage with UDT, he holds down the lead trumpet spot for the PNW's newest VGM/Anime music ensemble, Beat Rush Big Band. For Erik, music is a tool to build a real, lasting home for the VGM scene in the Pacific Northwest, using live performances to bring the local community together.

Caleb Goodrich

Board of Directors - Secretary

| Portland, OR | Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute | Socials: @the_jazz_goblin |

Caleb G is a local PDX Saxophonist and Music Educator with a passion for sharing music with his community. Caleb is the lead saxophonist and one of the founding members of the Portland based VGM and Jazz Fusion group Bass Pancake. Along with being a professional saxophonist, Caleb is a dedicated educator. Teaching woodwinds in local highschool and middle schools, running a small studio of beginning to advanced saxophone students, and working as an afterschool beginning band instructor are how Caleb gives back to his community.

Ed Goroza

Board of Directors - Artist Rep

| San Diego, CA | Trombone, Tuba, Low Brass Specialist |

|Socials: @keyofed |

Ed Goroza is a SoCal freelance low brass musician and arranger specializing in big band, brass bands, and performing in the entertainment industry. Goroza is notable for bring involved with Mikan Project, Magnificent Danger, and moderating the Gamer Bones discord community.

(he also need to write his own bio lol)

Jeffrey Shapiro

Board of Directors - Community Rep

| Portland, OR | Guitar, Bass, Ukulele |

| Socials: @MilShap OR @MilShapMusic |

Originally from Dallas, TX, Jeffrey has been living, teaching, and performing in Oregon for 10 years. He provides guitar and bass lessons to students of all ages out of his studio MilShap Music. As an active music instructor for over 17 years he has had the privilege of working with students from all walks of life and inspiring them to reach their musical goals. Currently he is performing with Rackashack, Beat Rush Big Band, and various singer/songwriters as well as several other projects in the beginning phases. He also regularly creates tutorial and cover videos as well as guitar and bass transcriptions online. Jeffrey is a regular at the monthly jam hosted by Under The Deku Tree.

Michael Tran

Artistic Director

| Troutdale, OR | Woodwind Specialist, Bass, Piano | Socials: @justsoneji |

Michael Tran, otherwise known as “Soneji”, is an educator, arranger, and professional saxophonist who specializes in anime/Vocaloid/Japanese music (J-Music) and video game music (VGM). As an educator, Soneji has taught private saxophone lessons in Oregon and Massachusetts, worked and runs various ensembles, and serves as a Music Teacher in the public school system. As an arranger, Soneji has arranged music for ensembles for various universities; horn arranging for clients active in the Western J-Music scene; as well as general arranging for groups that he performs in. As a saxophonist, Soneji has toured and performed all throughout the Western US and New England, as well as regularly doing remote recording commission work (i.e. NIJISANJI EN, Phase Connect, FLAVOR FOLEY, JamieP). Notable VGM/J-Music groups Soneji has played with are: Under the Deku Tree (PDX), Beat Rush Big Band (PDX), Mikan Project (online), and Magnificent Danger (BOS). Soneji has also been involved in the VGM Jam scenes in Portland, Boston, and New York City.

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