Kanon Wakeshima is a Japanese singer and cellist best known for blending classical music with contemporary pop sensibilities. Produced by Mana (of MALICE MIZER and Moi dix Mois), she debuted on May 28, 2008 under DefSTAR Records with "Still Doll," the ending theme for the Vampire Knight anime. She also voiced a minor character in the series. Her second single, "Suna no Oshiro," dropped that November and became the ending theme for season two. The Shojo Beat Music Awards nominated her for Best Newcomer in 2008.

Wakeshima's parents were music enthusiasts who hoped she'd follow suit, so she started cello lessons at three years old. By junior high she'd formed her own ensemble, and at fifteen she shifted into baroque performance. Around sixteen, she began experimenting with singing alongside her cello work, debuting as a vocalist at her high school festival. When she later auditioned at Sony Music Entertainment, she initially planned to leave her cello off the demo entirely—only deciding to include it after messing around with piano accompaniment. She made it to finalist status and signed with DefSTAR Records.

Wakeshima maintains three main cellos, each with its own purpose and personality. Mikazuki-san (a white cello named after the crescent moon) is her live performance instrument. Nanachie-san (red, meaning "wisdom") stars in her music videos—she's acknowledged it's technically demanding but she handles it. Yaeharu-san (brown, "multi-layered spring") is the sentimental pick: her middle school cello that she still practices and records with. She's since added a silver cello called Momotose to the collection.