My musical training was in the U.K., Japan, and in the United States, so I have seen the positives and negatives of many ways of teaching. No matter what career path the students take, I want them to be able to have music in their lives as a positive experience, something which could be difficult at times, especially for those pursuing it seriously.

As for teaching methods, I am somewhat regimented in areas involving technique and musicality, as I have seen many students play pieces that are beyond their musical understanding. I believe that a musical understanding must grow equally with the technical ability. My strong affinity towards the music of J. S. Bach further supports this, and I believe I can give insight into reading that goes beyond just playing the notes.

Below, you will find additional information about me as a performing artist.
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www.misuzutanaka.com

Hailed by international press for her "dizzying speed and sensitivity" Today’s Zaman (Turkey) and “exceptionally high technical level” General-Anzeiger Bonn (Germany), Misuzu Tanaka has established herself as an artist of remarkable individuality with a rare combination of poetic sensitivity and breathtaking virtuosity.

She has performed in prestigious concert venues throughout the world, from the Gewandhaus in Leipzig and Mozart’s Museum at Villa Bertramka in Prague to Alice Tully Hall in New York. Misuzu Tanaka is also a respected regular performer for Music from the Frederick Collection, a leading North-American venue for performance on historical instruments.

Misuzu Tanaka has achieved notable success in international competitions, receiving prizes and awards in the International Janáček Competition, Poland International Piano Festival Competition and the Daniel Rutenberg Chamber Music Competition. Enjoying an active solo career in the U.S., she is among the country’s brightest emerging stars.

Her recent debut album which was recorded live on the Concertant Classics label, “Misuzu Tanaka in Concert” features works by Leoš Janáček and J. S. Bach, two composers who have been a constant source of her musical inspiration. The 2020-21 season brings two new releases: a second piano recital album “Preludes, Reflections, Resonances” in which she further explores music of Janáček as well as music by Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff, and a debut album “Epilogues” with clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov, which focuses on four clarinet sonatas, which are the last works of three leading composers – Johannes Brahms, Camille Saint-Saëns and Francis Poulenc.

Her 2018-19 season highlights include appearances on the Aptos Keyboard Series (CA), Ridotto Classical Concerts (NY), Black Hills Chamber Music Society (SD) and Red Scarf Society of the Performing Arts (CA) among others. Highlights of the past seasons include a concerto debut at the Amadeus Festival (MT) with the Festival Orchestra under the direction of maestro John Zoltek as well as recitals at Chamber Music Society of Maryland, Fairmont Chamber Music Society (WV), Cedarhurst Chamber Music Series (IL), California State University Sacramento Piano Series, Distinguished Artists Lecture and Concert Series (CA), Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts (IL), Pro Musica in San Miguel de Allende, Chamber Music Society of Maryland and Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society (CA).

An avid ensemble collaborator, Misuzu Tanaka has appeared with prominent artists including James Dunham (Cleveland Quartet) and members of the National Symphony Orchestra. In 2012, together with her artistic partner and critically acclaimed clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov, she began touring throughout the United States as the Shtrykov-Tanaka Duo. Her latest chamber music project is Trio Confero (clarinet, cello, piano). The group will begin touring in 2019-’20 season as a part of the celebrated touring agency roster - Live On Stage.

Born in London, United Kingdom where she began her piano lessons at the age of five, she then continued her studies in Japan and in the United States with Martin Canin at The Juilliard School. Her Masters and Doctoral degrees are from University of Michigan where she was a full scholarship recipient studying with Logan Skelton and devoted much time to the study and performance of the works of Leoš Janáček, which led to further studies with Miroslav Brejcha and the late Ivan Moravec in the Czech Republic.