Born and raised in Japan, began studying the 13-strings-Koto at the age of three under her parents, Kazuo and Chikako Kurosawa. At the age of fifteen, she was drawn to the contemporary sound and technique of the 20-strings-Koto and began studying the 20-strings-Koto under Nanae Yoshimura. Received first prize at National Competition for students in 1989 and '92 and Scholarship from The Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan in '98. She has appeared in Prague Cello Ensemble Concert at Suntory Hall, Tokyo in ’96, NHK Broadcast TV program, Genjimonogatari-WAKANA, in ’00. She also studied computer music at computer music lab when she was attending Keio University.
As well as extensive performance in Japan, she has toured in Canada, Germany, Malaysia, Russia and the United States. In 2002, she moved to New York in pursuit of collaboration with various genres of musicians and artists. She has appeared on well known venues and held her concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie. She continues to perform in Japan as well and her first CD, Beginning of a Journey, featuring her own compositions, was released in 2009. She will appear as a soloist for a world premier “Koto Concerto Genji” written by Daron Hagen in England with Orchestra of the Swan in May, 2011.
- Award, Scholarship -
2006: Tokyo Contemporary Koto Music Competition Finalist (own music composition)
1998: Received Scholarship from The Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan
1996: Passed NHK Broadcaster Japanese Traditional Music Audition
1992: Received First Prize at National Koto Competition for students
1989: Received First Prize at National Koto Comprtition for students
*Master of SEIHA School(style)
*Driver License both Japan and United States
