Yumi Kurosawa
13 & 20-strings Koto player / Composer / Improviser / Computer Sound
Yumi is an innovative musician, born and raised in Japan, began studying the 13-strings Koto at the age of three under her parents, Kazuo and Chikako Kurosawa and began studying 20-strings Koto under Nanae Yoshimura at the age of fifteen. 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 "Genji-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, and has appeared on many well known venues such as Apollo Sound Stage, Joe's pub, WNYC radio 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. In 2011, Yumi appeared as the soloist for the world premiere of Koto Concerto: Genji , a Kyo-Shin-An Arts commission by composer Daron Hagen in both the quintet version with the Lark Quarte+ in NYC and the orchestral version with the Orchestra of the Swan in Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK. She has been playing own compositions including computer sounds and other composers music pieces actively. Member of Hougakuten Concert, Tokyo, Master qualification from Seiha School (style).
Awards
- 2006: Tokyo Contemporary Koto Music Competition Finalist (original music composition)
- 1998: Received Scholarship of 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 Competition for students
