KAORI TANIOKA

Biography

 

Kaori is an accomplished composer and pianist based in New York City. Originally from Kobe, Japan, she began taking music lessons at an early age and started composing at the age of 10. Her talent as a pianist was recognized when she was selected to perform with the Kyoto Chamber Orchestra in the Opus Piano Concerto at age of 17.

 

Kaori received a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she studied Jazz and contemporary music. She holds Bachelor's degrees in both Jazz Performance and Jazz Composition, and her big-band piece called "Marglit" won first prize in the International Association for Jazz Education's College Jazz Composition Competition.

 

Kaori attended the BMI Jazz Composer's Workshop in New York to study writing for large ensembles with composer Jim McNeely. She later completed a Master's degree in classical composition at Aaron Copland School of Music. Her works include compositions for string quartets, solo marimba, solo piano, pipe organ, woodwind quintets, koto (a traditional Japanese instrument), and orchestra. Her organ piece "WA" and Harpsichord concerto were premiered by J.P.Knijff (Grand Prix Bach de Lausanne in 1997).

 

Kaori is certified as a music education specialist at YAMAHA Music Education USA, and dedicates much of her time to teaching young musicians piano and composition. She has also commissioned four chamber pieces written for young musicians, which were performed at the Art Festival at Lincoln Center in NYC in 2013 and 2014. She was a commissioned composer for NJMTA in 2023.

 

Kaori's impressive career and dedication to music education makes her a valued member of the musical community. Her passion for composition and performance is evident in the range and depth of her work, and her commitment to nurturing future talent is a testament to her dedication to the art of music.