Discover how social VR is breaking down geographical barriers, paving the way for entirely new, immersive communities that redefine live jazz performance. Join Raindance Immersive Curator, Mary Lee Desmond (aka FangsVR), in conversation with Japanese jazz performer Sheena_baobab for an intimate look at the cutting edge of live music. As a performer with EMN Records—the quintessential Japanese jazz collective in VRChat—Sheena stands at the forefront of a musical revolution.

In this exclusive conversation, Sheena will unpack how she blends live jazz vocals, improvisation, and virtual collaboration using Yamaha Syncroom software to synchronise her individual performance with fellow jazz performers. Learn more about her unique art of virtual improvisation, and how she maintains the spontaneous, high-spirited energy of jazz with her bandmates who are based all around Japan.

Sheena_baobab is a music project leader, VRChat jazz performer, and community coordinator based in Japan. She leads Baobab Crossing, a creative community shaped by its tagline “Blooming Moments at Baobab Crossing,” expressing her vision of musical experiences that bloom like flowers and bring people together. She is also involved in the operation of EMN Records, a Japanese VR jazz collective nominated for Raindance Immersive in both 2024 and 2025, winning Best Live Show in 2024. Blending jazz, world‑music, and pop influences, she connects with event organizers and communities worldwide to create warm and expressive musical moments. In VRChat, she performs at international events and explores new forms of musical storytelling. Her work with VR Japan Tours was also nominated for Raindance Immersive in 2023, reflecting her dedication to expanding the VR music scene.

Mary Lee Desmond (aka FangsVR) is a filmmaker, music producer, and Curator at Raindance Immersive whose work centres on VR‑native cinema and virtual performances. They have worked in film and music studios since 2007 and serve as an AV Video Lead outside their VR practice, bringing deep experience in live performance and multimedia production to their immersive work.

In VRChat, they direct and produce real‑time films and performances, including SCOUT, winner of the Official VRChat Space Jam 2026 film competition, and compose original scores for immersive projects such as A Key to Cadence, a winner of the Official VRChat Film Jam 2025. Their background in film production, music, and live event operations informs a hybrid creative‑technical approach to Raindance’s programming, where they champion independent creators and the evolving language of immersive film and live performance.

EXPLORE PASS OPTIONS

Join the session live on Zoom on Friday, 19th June or watch the replay. Please see the schedule below for your local time. For sessions that fall too early or too late in your time zone, we highly recommend catching up via our on-demand replays.

  • EUROPE – FRIDAY, 19 JUNE

    • 11:15 AM - 11:45 PM BST (UK)

    • 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM CEST

    • 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM EET

  • NORTH AMERICA – FRIDAY, 19 JUNE

    • 6:15 AM - 6:45 AM EDT

    • 5:15 AM - 5:45 AM CDT

    • 4:15 AM - 4:45 AM MDT

    • 3:15 AM - 3:45 AM PDT

  • ASIA & AUSTRALIA – FRIDAY, 19 JUNE

    • 6:15 PM - 6:45 PM CST

    • 7:15 PM - 7:45 PM JST

    • 7:15 PM - 7:45 PM KST

    • 8:15 PM - 8:45 PM AEST