Artist Profile
MakomiMakomi Watanabe (Piano)
Makomi Watanabe completed her Masters degree at the Graduate School of Music, Ferris University, with her research focused on [The Transition in Scriabins Piano Works from the Early to Middle Periods.]
She has received numerous awards, including the Jury Prize at the 18th TIAA All Japan Classical Music Concert, and was a prizewinner at the 7th Osaka International Music Competition. She also performed at the 21st Gifu Prefecture Newcomer Concert, the 78th Yokohama Newcomer Concert, and was a finalist in the 14th International Piano Duo Competition. At the 6th All Japan Piano Duo Competition she received the Jury Prize, and at the 13th Oikawa Music Office Newcomer Audition she received the Encouragement Prize.
She has studied piano under Shuko Kobayashi and Hiroshi Kubo, chamber music under Yoshiko Nagura and Rainer Hoffmann, and piano duo under Hiroshi Kubo and Stephan Moeller.
In May 2015, she performed Rachmaninoffs Piano Concerto No.2 (all movements) with the Tokyo International Association Orchestra, conducted by Steven Dominique Ellery. In 2017, she received the Excellent Prize at the Piano Grand Prix. In August 2018, she was awarded the Encouragement Prize at the Kyoto International Music Competition.
In June 2019, she participated in the 10th anniversary project of Zou-no-Hana Terrace in Yokohama. She also organized and performed collaboration concerts with [lamp] at Zou-no-Hana Terrace in June and September 2021, and March 2022. In 2023, she received the Excellent Accompanist Award at the 25th [Great Wall of China Cup]International Music Competition.
Currently based in Yokohama, she performs not only as a soloist but also in a wide range of ensemble concerts. She also plans and produces collaboration projects with the City of Yokohama and various companies. Her performance venues include lounges at Shangri-La Tokyo, Yokohama Bay Sheraton, Hotel Grand Bach Tokyo Ginza, as well as entertainment cruise ships Royal Wing and Symphony Cruise. She will also perform a concert at the Yokohama Yamate Western Houses.
In 2025, she will release her original composition [Sunset Gradient], recorded with bassist Katsuhiko Kurosu and drummer Shuntaro Kado.
Genre: Instrumental, SoundtrackActive Area: Yokohama, KanagawaOrigin: Gifu, Gifu