Chiharu Iinuma is a renowned classical pianist who has captivated audiences around the world with her virtuosic performances and sensitive interpretations of the great works of the piano repertoire. Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1985, Iinuma showed an early aptitude for music and began studying the piano at the age of four. Her parents, both amateur musicians, recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Iinuma's early training was rigorous and demanding, as she studied with some of the most respected teachers in Japan. She quickly developed a reputation as a prodigy, winning numerous competitions and awards throughout her childhood and teenage years. Her talent was recognized by the Yamaha Music Foundation, which awarded her a scholarship to study at the Yamaha Music School in Tokyo. In 2003, Iinuma moved to the United States to attend the Juilliard School in New York City, one of the most prestigious music schools in the world. There, she studied with the renowned pianist and pedagogue Yoheved Kaplinsky, who helped her refine her technique and develop her musicality. Iinuma quickly established herself as one of the top students in the school, winning several competitions and performing in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. After graduating from Juilliard with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2007, Iinuma continued her studies at the Yale School of Music, where she earned a Master of Music degree in 2009. While at Yale, she studied with the acclaimed pianist and teacher Boris Berman, who helped her deepen her understanding of the piano repertoire and refine her interpretive skills. Since completing her studies, Iinuma has established herself as one of the most exciting young pianists of her generation. She has performed in major concert halls around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Suntory Hall in Tokyo. She has also collaborated with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. Iinuma's repertoire is wide-ranging and includes works by some of the greatest composers in the history of classical music. She is particularly known for her interpretations of the music of Beethoven, Chopin, and Schumann, and has recorded several critically acclaimed albums of their works. Her recordings have been praised for their technical brilliance, musical sensitivity, and emotional depth. In addition to her performing career, Iinuma is also a dedicated teacher and mentor. She has taught masterclasses and given lectures at some of the world's leading music schools, including the Juilliard School, the Yale School of Music, and the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is also a sought-after adjudicator for international piano competitions, and has served on the juries of several prestigious events. Throughout her career, Iinuma has received numerous awards and honors for her achievements as a pianist. In 2010, she was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians who show exceptional promise for a major career in music. She has also been a recipient of the Gilmore Young Artist Award, the Arthur Rubinstein Prize, and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Despite her many accomplishments, Iinuma remains humble and dedicated to her craft.

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