Kazuma Miura Tokyo Grand Soloists

The Tokyo Grand Soloists is a dream chamber orchestra formed by young bandoneon player Kazuma Miura and a select group of classical soloists.

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Member Profiles

Kazuma Miura (Bandoneon)

He began playing the bandoneon at the age of 10. In 2006, he met Nestor Marconi, the pinnacle of the bandoneon world, at the Beppu Argerich Music Festival. He then used the proceeds from his self-produced CD to fund his trip to Argentina, where he has been studying under Marconi ever since. In 2008, he became the first Japanese and youngest person in history to win the runner-up prize at the International Piazzolla Competition. In 2014, he received the Idus Music Award. In 2017, he formed his own chamber orchestra, the Tokyo Grand Soloists. In 2022, he released the album “Piazzolla Standards & Beyond” with the Miura Kazuma Quintet, a fitting finale to the Piazzolla Year, through Nippon Columbia. He has also been involved in the music for the NHK Taiga drama “Aozora o Tsuke,” and is gaining attention as a young, talented bandoneon player.

 

Yasunao Ishida (solo violin)

Graduated at the top of his class from the National University of Music, and at the same time received the Yatabe Award. After serving as concertmaster of the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, he became solo concertmaster of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra in 2001. Since then, he has become the “face of the Kanagawa Philharmonic” and currently serves as chief solo concertmaster, bearing the weight of that responsibility. He has received the Kanagawa Culture Award Future Prize and the Yokohama Culture Award Culture and Arts Encouragement Prize. He has also shown his unique brilliance in various ensembles, including the YAMATO String Quartet, which he has been a member of since its formation, and “Ishida-gumi,” a string ensemble consisting solely of male musicians that he produced himself. Since April 2020, he has also served as the special guest concertmaster of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra. His latest album, “PIAZZOLA LIVE,” was released in December 2021. In June 2022, he published his first book, “Be a Human Being Before Being a Musician!” His instruments are a 1690 G. Tononi and a 1726 M. Goffriller.  

  

Shioda Shu (Violin)

Born in Boston, USA. Earned a master's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in 2004. Has performed with the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra Project, Opera Project, and Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival. Guest concertmaster of the Hyogo Prefectural Cultural Center Orchestra and guest principal second violinist of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra. Joined the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in 2014.

 

Niwa Yosuke (Violin)

Began playing the violin at the age of 7. Graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan Arts High School and studied at Tokyo University of the Arts. Studied abroad in Vienna while in college. Won an award at the Dihler Competition. Joined the NHK Symphony Orchestra in 2007. Studied under Motoko Sato, Ryoko Yasui, Kiyoshi Okayama, Fuminori Shinozaki, and Edward Tsenkovsky.

 

Suzuki Koji (Violin)

Born in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Began playing the violin at the age of 2. Studied under Yoshiko Hattori and Evard Danel at the Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music. Joined the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra upon graduating from the university in 2008. After serving as concertmaster of the orchestra from 2012 to 2016, he joined the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in 2017. He has participated in the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra, the Afinis Summer Music Festival, and other events.

 

Sohei Birmann (violin)

Born in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. After graduating from the Tokyo University of the Arts, he graduated from the Lausanne Higher School of Music in Switzerland. He completed his master's degree at the same university. He also completed the academy course at Sinfonietta de Lausanne in Lausanne. He studied under Akira Yamamoto, Chihiro Kudo, Kazuki Sawa, Takashi Shimizu, and Pierre Amoyal. At the age of 8, he won the Gold Prize and Encouragement Prize at the Kyoto Music Competition. He also won third place in the All-Japan Student Music Competition (junior high school division). Won the Japan Performers Competition. Won the YBP International Competition. Won third place in the Osaka International Competition. Joined the orchestra in 2016. Principal second violinist of the New Japan Philharmonic.

 

Yoshitaka Hirooka (violin)

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts in 1998. While still a student, he won the Ataka Prize and studied abroad at the New England Conservatory of Music. Upon graduation, he joined the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra as assistant concertmaster. Currently, he is active mainly with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, but also performs as a guest concertmaster, soloist, and chamber musician with many other orchestras, including the Osaka Philharmonic, Kanagawa Philharmonic, Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, and Sendai Philharmonic. He has also been teaching at Tokai University since 2004.

 

Nasuda Gen (Violin)

Graduated from Toho Gakuen School of Music. He has performed in various concerts since his student days. Currently, he performs with the K Ballet Company's resident orchestra and numerous professional orchestras in Japan, and is active in various fields such as solo performances, chamber music, studio recordings, live support, arranging, and recording engineering.

 

Tamura Akihiro (Violin)

Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Won second place at the 45th Yamaguchi Prefecture Student Music Competition. Graduated from the Instrumental Music Department of the National University of Music in 2003. Since his student days, he has been actively involved in a wide range of activities, including guest appearances with orchestras, chamber music, live support, and music program recordings. He has performed at the Kusatsu Summer International Music Festival and the Hofu Music Festival. Since 2004, he has been a violinist with the Japan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.

 

Fukutome Fumihiro (Violin)

Graduated from the National University of Music. Won numerous awards, including the Excellence Award in the Ensemble Division at the 4th Osaka International Music Competition, 1st place in the Chamber Music Division at the 9th JILA Music Competition, and the Best Performer Award at the 5th Japan Ensemble Competition. Passed the PMF String Quartet Course audition and performed with the Tokyo Quartet. Studied violin under Yoko Suga, Shizuko Fukuzaki, the late Chikashi Tanaka, Fumiaki Shinozaki, and Rainer Schmidt. Second violinist of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.  

 

Murai Toshiro (Violin)

After graduating from Kyoto Municipal Horikawa High School Music Department and Toho Gakuen University, he studied at the Vienna Conservatory. After returning to Japan, he has been active as a freelance musician, performing as a guest concertmaster and principal violinist, while also participating in numerous recordings as a studio musician.

 

Shohei Yamamoto (Violin)

Graduated from Toho Gakuen University and its graduate school. Joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra in 2007. In addition to orchestral performances, he actively engages in solo and chamber music performances. In particular, as a member of Quartetto Hymnus, he received grants from the Matsuo Academic Revival Foundation in 2012 and 2015. He won the “Green Wind Music Award” at the Resonare Chamber Music Workshop. Currently serves as associate principal second violinist of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.

 

Masaki Shono (Viola)

Graduated at the top of his class from the Instrumental Music Department of Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and completed graduate studies at the same university. Won second prize at the Salzburg-Mozart International Chamber Music Competition. Released a solo album, “Nostalgic Melodies,” through Warner Music Japan. He has appeared as guest principal with major orchestras throughout Japan, including the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and Yamagata Symphony Orchestra. He is also active as a soloist, chamber musician, and in various genres of tours and recordings.

 

Hagiya Kintaro (Viola)

Born in Tokyo. Graduated from Tokyo College of Music. Completed graduate studies at Toho Gakuen School of Music. Studied violin under Hamio Fujiwara, viola under Yuki Momotake, and chamber music under Haruko Ueda and Ko Iwasaki. Participated in PMF2011, the Casals International Music Festival, and the Afinis Summer Music Festival. After serving as a contract musician with the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra and an Academy member of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra in 2017. Active in diverse fields including studio recording, live support, and composition/arrangement in addition to orchestral work.

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Satomi Furuya (Viola)

While studying at the Toho Gakuen School of Music, she was a member of and graduated from the NHK Symphony Orchestra Academy. She enrolled at the Berlin University of the Arts (Hans Eisler). She participated as an extra with major German orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. She then served as Associate Principal for a six-month contract with the Royal Orchestra of Seville. Currently performs as guest principal with domestic orchestras including the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensemble Kanazawa, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, and Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra. Studied under Junko Edo, Nobuo Okada, and Walter Kusner.

 

Suzumura Taiki (Viola)

Began violin at age 3 and switched to viola at 18. Won 1st prize in the String Instruments category at the 3rd Yokohama International Music Competition. Also won 1st prize at the Yamate no Oka Music Competition, along with the Yokohama Lions Club Award and F Group Award. Placed 3rd at the 9th Tokyo Music Competition, among numerous other competition awards. Has performed in concerts including the Miyazaki International Music Festival and Project Q. Studied viola and chamber music under Nobuo Okada.

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Makito Nishiya (Cello)

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, its graduate school, and Indiana University in the United States. Studied under Fumiaki Kono, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, and János Starker. After being a founding member of the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra, served as Principal Cellist of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra from 2008 to 2019 while also teaching as a part-time lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts. Received the 2013 Aoyama Music Award. In 2015, he formed the self-composed and self-performed string unit “Shimizu Nishitani” with violinist Yasuaki Shimizu, debuting with the album ‘KODO’. He currently performs across genres, from Bach to contemporary music, jazz, tango, pop, and his own compositions. He released his solo album “STORY” in June 2022.

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Yoshito Omiya (Cello)

Born in Yokohama City. Began playing cello at age 7. After graduating from Toho Girls' High School, he attended Toho Gakuen University and its College Diploma Course before joining the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (2014-2019). Member of Chisako Takashima with SuperCellists. Currently works freelance, performing studio recordings, live support, guest appearances with major Japanese orchestras, and with his own cello quartet. Studied cello with Kahoru Ishibashi and Hiroo Mouri, and chamber music with Hiroo Mouri, Yuriko Morota, and the Tokyo Quartet.

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Hirota Toru (Cello)

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts in 1997. During his studies, he passed an internal audition and performed a concerto with the Geidai Orchestra conducted by P. Dischpai. He appeared in the graduation concert organized by the university's Doshokai. He studied under M. Rostropovich at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. In 1999, he participated in the Afinis Summer Music Festival. In 2004, he performed BARGIEL's “Adagio” with the New Japan Philharmonic. He founded the string quintet Ensemble Nishiki, composed of New Japan Philharmonic musicians, which performed 10 concerts over 4 days in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, to great acclaim. The group remains active. He has also participated in numerous studio recordings. He studied under Shoichi Baba and Fumiaki Kono. Joined the orchestra in 1998. Celloist, New Japan Philharmonic.

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Takayoshi Okuizumi (Cello)

Born in Sapporo. After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts High School of Music, studied at the Trossingen University of Music in Germany. From 2007, spent two years honing his skills as a contracted member of the Bavarian State Opera. 2006 Agency for Cultural Affairs Overseas Training Fellow. Won the Excellence Award at the 1998 Sapporo Junior Cello Competition. Placed 2nd at the 2004 Viva Hall Cello Competition. Participated in the JT Cultivates Ensemble Series, the Swiss International Academy led by Seiji Ozawa, the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra, the Saito Kinen Chamber Music Workshop, the Mito Chamber Orchestra, the Kioi Sinfonietta, and the Tokyo Spring Music Festival. After returning to Japan in 2009, served as Lecturer at Ueno Gakuen University until 2016. Currently active as a soloist, guest concertmaster with orchestras, chamber musician, recording artist, and as Trio AXIS (string trio), serving as the resident trio at Fukui Harmony Hall. Studied under Yoshiro Uehara, Fumiaki Kono, Sadao Harada, and If Sabari.

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Kadowaki Hiroki (Cello)

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts High School of Music and Tokyo University of the Arts. Won First Prize and Grand Prix at the Japan Classical Music Competition. Third Prize at the 5th Viva Hall Cello Competition. Third Prize at the 74th Japan Music Competition. First Prize at the Salzburg-Mozart International Chamber Music Competition. Recipient of the 2016 Energia Music Award. Received a scholarship from the ROHM Music Foundation to study at the Conservatorio di Musica in Reggio Emilia. Currently serves as a part-time lecturer at Tokyo College of Music and Tokyo University of the Arts. Principal player of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

Kuroki Iwahisa (Double Bass)

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts and completed the Master's program at its Graduate School. Received the 1987 Ataka Prize. Received the Fukushima Award in 1988. Served as a part-time lecturer in the Orchestral Studies Department at Tokyo University of the Arts from 1990 to 2004. Principal bassist of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra from 2001 to 2008. Also active in cross-genre performances including film music, commercials, and dramas. Appointed Season Program Producer at Nagano City Art Museum in 2019.

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Takahashi Yota (Double Bass)

Joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra upon graduating from Toho Gakuen School of Music and its graduate program. Received the Aomori Citizen's Cultural Award in 2005. Frequently performs at music festivals including the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, Afinis Summer Music Festival, Tokyo Spring Music Festival, and Kirishima International Music Festival. Currently active in diverse roles including as a member and soloist with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, the Quintet led by Kazuma Miura, and the Blue Island Orchestra led by Hiroshi Aoshima.

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Akito Koganemaru (Double Bass)

Graduated from Tokyo College of Music. After serving with the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, he is currently a double bassist with the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra. He studied in Boston, USA, as a trainee under the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Overseas Training Program for Emerging Artists in FY2018 and as a Japanese participant in the Japan-U.S. Artist Exchange Program. He studied under Katsuki Yoshiura, Shu Yoshida, Shigeru Ishikawa, Edwin Barker, and Tetsushi Okamoto.

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Junpei Ohtsubo (Guitar)

Born in Hiroshima Prefecture, he began playing electric guitar at age 15 and classical guitar at age 16. He is a guitarist with the group “Henshin Jizai,” active in various fields. He won top honors at the 34th Japan Guitar Competition and placed highly at the 1st East End International Guitar Competition and the 45th Classical Guitar Competition. He began composing in 2019. In 2022, he was selected and received a special prize at the 2nd Portugal International Guitar Composition Competition. In 2023, he placed 3rd at the 4th Barcelona International Guitar Composition Competition “Miguel Llobet”. In recent years, he has expanded his activities as a composer-guitarist, with his works being performed by various guitarists. He graduated from Elisabeth University of Music. He studied guitar under Mr. Fuminori Nagano, Mr. Masakazu Tokutake, and Mr. Norio Sato.

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Ishikawa Satoshi (Drums & Percussion)

Graduated from the Department of Crafts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. A percussionist with a unique background, deeply versed in rhythms from around the world, including Brazil, Central and South America, Asia, India, and Africa. A masterful performer who wields dynamic rhythms and richly colored tones. Active across all genres, from Brazilian music to classical, Latin, jazz, rock, and pop. Currently expanding his performance activities worldwide, including Latin America, the United States, Canada, Europe, and various Asian countries.

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Yamada Takehiko (Piano)

Graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School, Composition Department. In 1993, entered the Piano Accompaniment Department at the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique as a French government scholarship student. Graduated with the Premier Prix (First Prize) after passing all seven graduation exams in his class unanimously by the jury. Performed as a soloist with French ensembles such as 2e2m, L'itineraire, and Triton2, introducing contemporary music. Since returning to Japan, he has collaborated with numerous performers as a pianist. His precise yet expansive ensemble skills and richly colored tone have earned high praise, establishing him as a trusted partner for soloists in concerts, recordings, and broadcasts. After serving as a Visiting Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, he is currently affiliated with the Department of Music Culture Studies at the same university (Head of the Solfège Section) and is a Visiting Professor at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music. He is a full member of the All Japan Piano Teachers Association, a director of the Japan Solfège Research Association, and a member of the Japan Piano Education Federation. Since 2017, he has served as Music Director for the Asakusa Opera 100th Anniversary Project “Ah, Asakusa, City of Dreams!”, composing and arranging all pieces for performances at Asakusa's Toyokan and other venues.