Mariko Furukawa

Mariko Furukawa

Japanese pianist Mariko Furukawa is a prize winner of prestigious competitions, such as Porto International Piano Competition (Portugal), Grand Prix for the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau (France), First Prize at Dorothey MacKenzie Competition (US), First Prize in the All Japan Piano Competition, First Prize at Mannes Concerto Competition, resulting in a performance at Lincoln Center, Third Prize at The Chopin Competition in Asia, and Third Prize at The Japan Chopin Piano Competition. During 15th International Chopin Competition, her performance of Ballade No.4 was chosen by Polish National Radio, and broadcast repeatedly on multiple occasions.

Mariko has also been an active chamber musician, and she has collaborated with such renowned musicians as The Orion String Quartet, Charles Neidich, Anthony McGill and Jasmine Choi. In 2012, she was awarded a special prize in All Japan Music Competition for her outstanding performance as a collaborative pianist. She has been an official pianist to music festivals and competitions such as Aspen Music Festival, Perlman Music Program, Kita- Karuizawa Music Festival, and International Jacques Lancelot clarinet competition.

She obtains her masters degree from The Juilliard School and bachelor degree from Mannes College of Music. In 2019, she moved to Helsinki, and joined Sibelius Academy at University of Arts Helsinki as a full-time faculty.