Daughter of professional opera singer will sing at UNK commencement TYLER ELLYSON, UNK COMMUNICATIONS May 6, 2026 May 6, 2026 0 Sayo Kajiyama, a native of Nara, Japan, is a senior at UNK, where she’s studying vocal music performance. ERIKA PRITCHARD, UNK COMMUNICATIONS Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save TYLER ELLYSON, UNK COMMUNICATIONS When Sayo Kajiyama sings, she wants to convey emotion and connect with her audience on a deeper level.kAm%92E >:?5D6E H:== 8F:56 E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 }63C2D<2 2E z62C?6J D6?:@C @? @?6 @7 E96 3:886DE DE286D @7 96C 4@==686 42C66C]k^AmkAm~? |2J g[ E96 >FD:4 A6C7@C>2?46 >2;@C H:== D:?8 E96 ?2E:@?2= 2?E96> 2E &}z’D DAC:?8 4@>>6?46>6?E]k^AmkAmxE H:== C6AC6D6?E 96C 8C@HE9 2D 2 A6C7@C>6C 2?5 2 ;@FC?6J E92E 3682? 92=7H2J 2C@F?5 E96 H@C=5]k^Am kAm“pE E96 368:??:?8[ x ;FDE =:<65 36:?8 @? 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