Her mother was a biwa master Shibata Kyoudo (柴田旭堂; passed away in 2012). Uehara Mari also performs under the name Shibata Kyouen (柴田旭艶). Made special appearances in New OSK theater performances "Revue in Kyoto - Genji, a Dream of Thousand Years" (2007) and "Revue in Kyoto II - Rondo: Kaoru and Ukifune" (2008). She won national prize for Chikuzen biwa in high school. She was in charge of the Chikuzen biwa performances in