The Anaheim University Cherry Blossom Gala featured over 150 performers including Taiko Drummers, Awa Odori Dancers, a kimono show, singers, an awards presentation with the Jim Henson Company receiving the "Pioneer in Edutainment Award", and a live film concert for the Akira Kurosawa Academy award-winning film Ran performed by Maestro Tomomi Nishimoto and the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra.

Maestro Nishimoto was selected as one of the 100 most respected Japanese worldwide by Newsweek Magazine and as the Young Global Leader 2007 by the World Economic Forum. She has conducted symphonies around the world including the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and the Tchaikovsky Foundation's Russian Symphony Orchestra. At the March 23rd, 2009 Cherry Blossom Gala, Maestro Nishimoto conducted talented orchestra members from the Young Musicians Foundation. Founded over half a century ago, the world-renowned YMF Debut Orchestra is the second- oldest pre-professional training orchestra in the country.