Jury

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. Graduated from the same graduate school. Winner of the 86th Music Competition of Japan, as well as the Iwatani Prize and the Segi Prize. At the 10th JEJU International Brass Competition, he became the first Japanese horn player to win an international competition. Winner of Leoš Janáček International Competition Brno, Tokyo Music Competition, Japan Wind and Percussion Competition. He has performed with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Geidai Philharmonic Orchestra, Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra, Gunkyo, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, East Philharmonic Orchestra, Central Aichi, and Jeju Symphony Orchestra. Invited to Seiji Ozawa Music Academy, PMF, Asia Pacific Wind Music Festival, Miyazaki International Music Festival, Asian Horn Festival, Sendai Classical Festival, Kirishima Music Festival, Chofu Music Festival, etc. After serving as the principal horn player of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, he is currently the principal horn player of the Gunma Symphony Orchestra. Member of Japan Horn Sound, Naniwa 《Orchestral》Winds, and The Sixth Sense.

Shino Hidaka started playing the piano at the age of 5. She was awarded two prizes : the third prize at the 7th KAZUSA AKADEMIA MUSIC COMPETITION and an incentive award at the CHOPIN PIANO COMPETITION IN JAPAN. In addition to being awarded, Shino Hidaka performed as a soloist with GEIDAI Philharmonia conducted by Zsolt Nagy (Prokofiev`s Piano Concert No.2, Op.16) in May 2010 and with New Philharmonic Orchestra Chiba conducted by Kazufumi Yamashita (Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.1, Op.11), in June 2010.She graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts in 2011, and was awarded the Douseikai Prize at graduation.In 2011, she got the third prize at the 16th CONCERT MARRONNIER 21. (in Japan)
And, in October 2012, she got the 1st prize and Gold Medal at the 5th INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION IN MEMORY OF EMIL GILELS in Ukraine, Odessa. Shino Hidaka performed Prokofiev`s piano Concert No.2 as a soloist with Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Hobart Earle.Currently, she finished her study in Moscow State Tchaikovsky conservatory in the class of Professor Yuri Slesarev in August 2018.She was a participant of 15th INTERNATIONAL TCHAIKOVSKY COMPETITION in 2015, and performanced in the Big Hall in Moscow Conservatory. And in this year 2016, She won the 2nd prize at the 17th SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION in America(CA).She had solo recitals and concertos with orchestra in Moscow, Olenburg (Russia), Kiev (Ukraine), Berlin(Germany), Odessa(Ukraine)and many cities in the world.She has studied with Mrs. Yukiko Sakai, Mrs. Ritsuko Tsuchiya, Mrs. Tomoko Ogasawara, Ms. Akiko Ebi, Dr. Katsumi Ueda, including teacher in Moscow Conservatory, Dr. Yuri Slesarev and his assistant Mr.Vyacheslav Gryaznov.Currently, she has established herself as solo and ensemble pianist based in Japan.

Kohei Ichikawa,Tenore,is a native of Japan.Born in Fujieda City, Shizuoka. Lirico Reggero tenor with a voice that specializes in lyrical and light expression. He graduated from theTokyo University of the Arts. At the time of graduation, he received the Toshi Matsuda Award, the Acanthus Music Award, and the New Face Award of the DOSEIKAI and he sang at the Yomiuri newcomer concert. He received full scholarship to got his master’s degree in vocal music of opera from theTokyo University of the Arts. From 2012, he studied in Milan, Italy for one year.
He received full scholarship to completed the 60th master class of the Nikikai Opera Training Institute. At the end of the course, he received the Grand Prize and the Shizuko Kawasaki Award.
Mr.Ichikawa has won Top Prize in many vocal competition,includeing the 51st Japan-Italy Vocal Concorso,the 25th Sogakudo Japan Song Competition, the 86th Japan Music Competition Opera Division, the 39th Italian Vocal Concorso, the 15th Conseil Marronnier 21, the 20th Shizuoka Virtuoso Audition; he won the Concerto Award.Each season,Mr.Ichikawa sings a wide variety of opera,concerts and recitals.In opera, in addition to making a supporting appearance as Zorzeto in the New National Theatre's opera training institute graduation performance "Il Campiello". He made his debut as Oronte in the New Wave Opera Theater's "Alcina" at the opera group Tokyo Nikikai, and then played the role of Tamino in "The Magic Flute" directed by Amon Miyamoto in the 70th anniversary performance of the Nikikai, and the role of Orpheus in "Orphee aux enfers". He sang in the Nissei Theater's "Così fan tutte" as Ferrando and receive high praise.In addition to playing Paolino, Nemorino ,Alfredo, José, Rodolfo etc.He has also been a soloist in religious songs such as The 59th Tokyo University of the Arts’s Messiah Soloist, the Ninth, Mozart's Requiem,  Paradise and Peri and The Four Seasons.In Matsudo City, Chiba, where he lives, he has established a citizen opera group "Matsudo Opera" under the motto of "Local Production Song" and is also focusing on the spread of community-based opera. He has studied with Kyoko Fujii, Michio Tatara, Hiroyuki Yoshida, N. Zanini, and E. Fogliati. He is a Tokyo Nikikai’s member.

In 2018, he won the 4th prize at the 10th Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, and in 2016, he was a finalist at the Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition (Brussels, Belgium), one of the world’s three major competitions. In addition, he has won many prizes at domestic and international competitions such as the Music Competition of Japan, the PTNA Piano Competition, and the Tokyo Music Competition. He has performed with many famous orchestras such as the Belgian National Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop. He has given recitals in Japan, France, Belgium, Germany, Brazil, Azerbaijan and the UK. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Royal College of Music, and Leipzig University of Music and Performing Arts, who released their first CD in 2021 and received acclaim in music magazines and newspapers. He has studied piano with Nobiko Miyoshi, C. Soares, Kei Ito, D. Alekseev, G. Fout, and R. Saikurov. From 2021, he is a part-time lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Music, Piano Department.

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts (BA), Conservatoire de Musique de Genève (MA), and CRR de Paris (Piccolo) with unanimous first prize, and returned to Japan with a Konzertexamen from the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg. Former contract member of the Freiburg Philharmonic and the Mannheimer Philharmoniker. Selected as a scholarship student of the Rohm Music Foundation and the State of Baden-Württemberg.She won the second prize at the 14th Conser Marronnier 21 and the highest prize at the 6th International Competition of Romania. She was a finalist at the 69th Geneva International Competition and the 65th ARD Competition. Currently, she performs solo concerts, chamber music, and orchestras, and teaches younger students.

@Ayane Shindo
I graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts and graduate school.I have won prizes in various competitions in Japan.Currently, I am working as a part-time lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts and as a YouTuber.

After graduating from the Music High School of the Faculty of Music of Tokyo University of the Arts, Masao Kitsutaka took his undergraduate degree from the University with top honors. He has won prizes at international competitions, including first prize at the 65th Music Competition of Japan, first prize at the International Piano Competition of Ile-de-France, and third prize at the Robert William and Florence Amy Brant International Pianoforte Competition (Birmingham, UK). As a scholarship recipient of the Japanese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists in 2001, he entered the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève and received the soloist diploma. He teaches at Musashino Academia Musicae and Tokyo College of Music.

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, majoring in percussion instruments. Graduated from the same graduate school. In 2009, she performed marimba concerto with the Geidai Philharmonia Orchestra at the Geidai Morning Concert. Selected for the marimba section of the 31st Japan Wind and Percussion Competition. From September 2013 to March 2015, she was a part-time lecturer at the Music High School attached to the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts. From October 2016 to September 2019, she was a contract member of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently a part-time lecturer at Shobi University.

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. Studied abroad in Germany as the first scholarship student of the Saitama Prefecture Study Abroad Program. Completed the master’s course at the German National University of Music, Theater and Media in Hannover. 13th Tohoku Youth Music Competition Silver Prize, 19th Saitama Piano Competition Bronze Prize and Saitama Piano Competition Award. As a soloist, she performed with the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the late Kazuhiko Komatsu. Awarded the 14th Concert Marronnier Main Selection. Performed with the late Hayao Kawai (flute), former Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Duo recital at Hamburg “Opernloft” and solo recital at “Bechstein Young Profesionals”. In addition to participating in master classes around the world, she has given solo recitals and chamber music concerts in Japan and overseas. She has studied under Kyoko Tomoda, Kenichi Ara, Katsumi Ueda, G. Tacchino, Akiko Ebi, and B. Getzke. Studied chamber music under Kozo Moriyama, Seizo Azuma, M. Becker, and N. Rimmer. After returning to Japan, he has been performing her own performances and also instructing younger musicians. Currently teaching research assistant at the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts.

"Shotaro Nishimura is richly endowed by nature. He is a brilliant virtuoso, an emotional and subtle musician." Leonid Margarius
Born in Akita (Japan) in 1992, Japanese Pianist Shotaro Nishimura began piano at age 7. He studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts (Japan) with Katsumi Ueda, and the Imola Piano Academy (Italy) with Leonid Margarius.  He won the award at various competitions, such asthe 14th Tokyo Music Competition (2nd prize and Audience prize) in Japan, the 7th International piano competition “Ischia” (1st prize) in Italy and the 7th Euregio Piano Award (2nd prize) in Germany.He collaborated as a soloist with important Orchestra, such as the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, the Morocco Philharmonic Orchestra and the Malaga Provincial Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Ken Takaseki, Olivier Holt and Salvador Vázquez Sánches. Also he has performed Concerts and Music Festival in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Japan and Spain.He is currently a lecturer at the Tokyo University of the Arts and the Omiya Koryo high school.

Started playing the violin at the age of 3 and the cello at the age of 13. Completed master’s course at Tokyo University of the Arts and its graduate school. While in school, she traveled to Europe and completed the advanced course of the Lyon Conservatory, the Lugano Conservatory, and the master’s course of the Geneva Conservatoire. 2nd prize in Yokohama International Music Competition String Section, 1st prize in Glazunov International Competition Cello Section, 1st prize in Cle d’Or International Competition Cello Section, 1st prize in Cle d’Or International Competition (Paris), 2nd prize in Padua International Music Competition String Section (Italy). In 2018, she performed Honegger’s cello concerto with the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra at the Agency for Cultural Affairs Upcoming Performer Development Project. She has also been invited as a soloist to Israel Camerata Jerusalem (Israel) and Academia Adriatica (Italy). Highly acclaimed as a chamber musician, she has performed with M. Martin, Nobuko Imai, M. Repin, M. Westphal, A. Konunova, Z. Lehner and others in Japan and overseas. Currently, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra junior cellist. She continues to perform in Japan and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Aki Sawa started learning the violin at the age of six. Aki attended the high school attached to Tokyo Geidai (Tokyo University of the Arts), and obtained her BMus with top marks from Tokyo Geidai. She won major prizes in the University, and also obtained the 2 nd prize at the International Bach Competition in Paris. Aki has played concertos with the Geidai Philharmonia, the National Philharmonic of Ukraine and the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra. She was awarded the Aoyama Music Prize in Kyoto in 2011 and the Matsukata Music Prize in Kobe in 2012. Aki studied for her MA in Performance with Prof. Gyorgy Pauk at the Royal Academy of Music in London where she was awarded the Rowby Woof Prize, the Wilfrid Parry Prize, and the Hannah Horowitz Award and she finished her masters with receiving the Diploma of Royal Academy of Music in 2012. She was accepted as a member of the LSO String Experience Scheme 2010/2011. After returning to Tokyo, she obtained her MA with top marks from Tokyo Geidai. She made her debut recital at the Tokyo Bunkakaikan in 2014. She is a faculty member of the Tokyo Geidai and also a concertmistress of the Geidai Philharmonia Orchestra.

Doctor in Music, a triturated player of historical/contemporary cello and viola da gamba. Dr. in Music and Cello from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. His research focuses on the history of technique and score reading from the 17th to 19th centuries. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Conservatoire de Satie in Paris, France. He is the principal player and sub-director of La Musica Collana, member of Bach Collegium Japan, "Kigokoro" Trio, Tokyo University of the Arts Strings, Tokyo Baroque Players, and others. His 1st CD "Les Monologues" was recommended by the Newspeper Yomiuri and 4 magazines, and his 2nd CD "AU-DELÀ" released in 2023 was recommended by the Newspeper Asahi and selected as Notable Disc on music magazine. He is a professor at Showa University of Music, and a member of the Period Music Institute. He is a jury member of the Inzai International Music Competition and the Kochi Music Competition.

orn in Iwate Prefecture. She graduated from Hirosaki University and recieved master's degree from Tokyo University of the Arts and studied at the Leipzig University of Music and Performing Arts. In Leipzig , she studied oboe with D. Walter and N.Deutsch, and English horn with G. Janneman-Fischer.
She is an oboist with the Geidai Philharmonia Orchestra,a member of the oboe ensemble ‘Ueno Charmela’ and ‘Tokyo Double Reed Hondo’.

After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduated first on the list from the Violin Department of the Paris Conservatoire Completed the master's program at the Paris Conservatoire.8th Toshiya Eto Violin Competition, 1st prize 2010 France Bach International Music Competition, 1st prize 2014 Lyon International Music Competition Chamber Music Division Best Contemporary Music Award, 1st prize in the strings section of the 12th Romanian International Music Competition In addition, Received Grand Prix from all categories.Study under a teacher Ms Natsumi Tamai, Mr Chikashi Tanaka, Gérard Poulet, Boris Garlitsky. Member of Virtus Quartet, Tokyo Baroque Players.

Shun Yoshino has gained international recognition for his achievements as a chamber musician, orchestral musician, soloist and educator. He studied with Naoko Tanaka at the Juilliard School Pre-college division. He later studied with Akiko Tatsumi, Kazuhiro Takagi, and Masafumi Hori at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree. He has enjoyed an active and far-reaching orchestral career performing with orchestras such as the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Canada, the Royal Philharmonic in London, and San Francisco Academy Orchestra. He has also appeared at numerous festivals including, New York SMF, Courchevel Music Festival, Music Festival Argerich’s Meeting Point, and Kyoto International Music Student Festival.