Wakeshima, Kanon

Birthdate: Jul 3, 1988 (38 yrs)
Blood type: A

Personal Information

Kanon Wakeshima is a Japanese singer and cellist managed by Mana of MALICE MIZER and Moi dix Mois. She launched her career under the DefSTAR Records label on May 28, 2008, releasing her debut single "Still Doll," which served as the ending theme for the anime adaptation of the manga series Vampire Knight. In addition to her vocal work, Wakeshima provided the voice for a maid character appearing in the eighth episode of the series. Her second single, "Suna no Oshiro," followed on November 12, 2008, and was utilized as the ending theme for the show's second season. Her early work earned her a nomination for Best Newcomer at the fourth annual Shojo Beat Music Awards for 2008, an honor where nominees are selected through surveys of record companies, music journalists, experts, and fans. Wakeshima's path to music began before her birth, as her music-loving parents hoped she would become a musician. She started learning the cello at age three, forming her own ensemble group during junior high school. By fifteen, she had shifted from classical ensembles to the baroque section, performing in numerous recitals and concerts throughout her school years. At sixteen, she began composing her own music and integrating singing with her cello performance, making her first vocal appearances at a high school festival. Wakeshima auditioned for Sony Music Entertainment primarily as a singer. Although she initially planned to exclude her cello from her demo tape, she changed her mind after experimenting with piano accompaniment. She advanced to the finals of the audition, securing a contract with the Sony subsidiary DefSTAR Records and debuting on May 28, 2008, with "Still Doll." This track was selected as the ending theme for the first season of the Vampire Knight anime adaptation. In her professional life, Wakeshima utilizes three distinct cellos: one for live performance, one for music videos, and one for recording, each with a unique name. Her white cello, Mikazuki-san, meaning "crescent moon," is her primary instrument for live shows. The red cello, Nanachie-san, meaning "wisdom," appears frequently in her music videos; Wakeshima notes that while it is difficult to play, she manages to master it. Her brown cello, Yaeharu-san, meaning "multi-layered spring," holds special significance as the instrument she has owned since middle school, which she uses for practice and recording. She also currently uses a new silver cello named Momotose.