Kyoko Takashima

Kyoko Takashima, born in Fukuoka, Japan, began playing the piano at the age of 5. She pursued her passion for music by earning a degree in piano performance and music education from Osaka College of Music in Japan. Additionally, she enriched her skills by participating in the summer academy at The Mozarteum University of Salzburg in Austria. For approximately 30 years, Kyoko was a piano lecturer at Osaka Aoyama University and as an accompanist for vocalists in the postgraduate course at Osaka College of Music. She actively contributed to the Sakai City Opera as a committee member and participated in various opera productions in Osaka, while also showcasing her talent through numerous solo recitals and piano concerts. She also gained international experience by accompanying solo artists in countries such as Austria, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and the USA. She is especially proud of her involvement in Japanese traditional opera in Perth and Seattle. In 2010, Kyoko held a recital featuring works by Bach and Toru Takemitsu in Auckland, and in 2014, she dedicated a concert to support the Christchurch earthquake. In March 2021, she relocated to Nelson.

Kyoko’s philosophy is that playing music is interesting and enjoyable. After a lesson students should feel happy and energized. The piano is an excellent instrument which can be played by people of all ages and abilities. It is very versatile and lends itself to being played solo, in duets and in a larger orchestra setting. Kyoko teaches students who can read music and are at intermediate and advanced level. She enjoys improving their skills, and instill a greater love of music.