Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1975

 

Yumi Kurosawa is a renowned koto player and composer of classical music. She was born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1978, and began playing the koto at the age of three. Her mother, Chikako Kurosawa, was a koto teacher and performer, and Yumi grew up surrounded by music. Yumi's talent for the koto was evident from a young age, and she began performing publicly at the age of six. She studied under her mother and other prominent koto teachers in Japan, and by the age of 16, she had won numerous awards and competitions. In 1995, Yumi moved to the United States to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she studied under koto master Kazue Sawai. She also studied composition and music theory, and began to incorporate Western classical music into her repertoire. After graduating from the University of Hawaii, Yumi moved to New York City to pursue a career as a professional musician. She quickly established herself as one of the leading koto players in the United States, and began collaborating with musicians from a variety of genres, including jazz, rock, and classical. Yumi's compositions are a unique blend of traditional Japanese music and Western classical music. She often incorporates elements of jazz and improvisation into her pieces, creating a sound that is both traditional and modern. One of Yumi's most notable works is her concerto for koto and orchestra, "Genroku Legends." The piece was commissioned by the New York Gagaku Ensemble and premiered in 2010. It is a tribute to the Genroku era of Japanese history, which is known for its cultural and artistic achievements. Another notable work by Yumi is her album "Heartstrings," which was released in 2012. The album features original compositions by Yumi, as well as arrangements of traditional Japanese folk songs. It showcases Yumi's virtuosity on the koto, as well as her ability to blend different musical styles. In addition to her work as a composer and performer, Yumi is also a dedicated teacher. She has taught koto at the Juilliard School and the New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, as well as at her own studio in New York City. Yumi's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2012, she was awarded the Asian Cultural Council Fellowship, which allowed her to travel to Japan to study traditional koto music. She has also been a recipient of the Japan Foundation Fellowship and the New York State Council on the Arts Individual Artist Grant. Today, Yumi continues to perform and compose music, and is considered one of the leading koto players in the world. Her unique blend of traditional Japanese music and Western classical music has earned her a devoted following, and her contributions to the world of classical music are sure to be felt for years to come.

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