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- Facility
- pipeorgan"Lucy"
- The Hall Organist Internship Program
The Hall Organist Internship Program
The Hall Organist Internship Program
Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall holds various events featuring our pipe organ, known as “Lucy,” and in fiscal 2002, we launched the Hall Organist Internship Program to provide aspiring hall organists with the experience and training required for the role. After completing the program, participants perform a “One-dollar Organ Concert” to present the results of their training.
＜Major Areas of Training in the Program＞
- Participate in the planning and management of organ performances, workshops, and other projects
- Study organ maintenance, the structure of the instrument, and public hall administration
- Learn how to explain the operation of the organ to other organists who play the “Lucy” first time
- Participate in public relations activities related to the organ and the hall
- Study with the hall organist Takeshi Kondo
- Perform a “One-dollar Organ Concert” to mark the completion of the internship program
List of Graduates from the Hall Organist Internship Program
Here are the organists who have completed the program. They are currently active in a variety of fields.
1st Term: Fiscal 2002
Miki Asai
Graduated from the Faculty of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts before completing a master’s degree at the same institution. Received the Ataka Prize and the Acanthus Music Prize. Completed the first term of Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2003. Studied organ with Izumi Ikeda, Tsuguo Hirono, Makiko Hayashima, and Hatsumi Miura, basso continuo with Naoko Imai and Tsuguo Hirono, and harpsichord with the late Yoshiko Kojima. In addition to serving as an assistant at Tokyo University of the Arts and an instructor at Aoyama Gakuin High School, Miki has performed concerts throughout Japan. She is currently an organist at Aoyama Gakuin High School and conducts a special program for children about the pipe organ at Art Tower Mito. Miki is a member of the Japan Association of Organists and the Japan Organ Society.
Graduated from the Faculty of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts before completing a master’s degree at the same institution. Received the Ataka Prize and the Acanthus Music Prize. Completed the first term of Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2003. Studied organ with Izumi Ikeda, Tsuguo Hirono, Makiko Hayashima, and Hatsumi Miura, basso continuo with Naoko Imai and Tsuguo Hirono, and harpsichord with the late Yoshiko Kojima. In addition to serving as an assistant at Tokyo University of the Arts and an instructor at Aoyama Gakuin High School, Miki has performed concerts throughout Japan. She is currently an organist at Aoyama Gakuin High School and conducts a special program for children about the pipe organ at Art Tower Mito. Miki is a member of the Japan Association of Organists and the Japan Organ Society.
Kumi Shibusawa
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music at Ferris University before completing a master’s degree at the same institution. Completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program. Kumi has subsequently given solo performances at concert halls and churches throughout Japan as well as accompanying orchestras and ensembles. Since 2006, she has served as the hall organist at Morioka Civic Cultural Hall. Kumi’s duties include organizing concerts and teaching organ classes along with promoting and developing organ music. She studied organ with Yasuko Takahashi, Tomoko Miyamoto, Hiroko Asai, Genzoh Takehisa, and Hatsumi Miura. Kumi is also an organist at St. Luke's Chapel in St. Luke's International University. She is a member of the Japan Organist Association and the Japan Organ Society.
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music at Ferris University before completing a master’s degree at the same institution. Completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program. Kumi has subsequently given solo performances at concert halls and churches throughout Japan as well as accompanying orchestras and ensembles. Since 2006, she has served as the hall organist at Morioka Civic Cultural Hall. Kumi’s duties include organizing concerts and teaching organ classes along with promoting and developing organ music. She studied organ with Yasuko Takahashi, Tomoko Miyamoto, Hiroko Asai, Genzoh Takehisa, and Hatsumi Miura. Kumi is also an organist at St. Luke's Chapel in St. Luke's International University. She is a member of the Japan Organist Association and the Japan Organ Society.
2nd Term: Fiscal 2003
Mineko Kojima
Graduated from Tamagawa University before completing a master’s course at Musashino Academia Musicae and a diploma course at Ferris University. Received the Naoaki Fukui Award while enrolled in graduate school. Mineko has performed throughout Japan, Europe, and the U.S. Her life’s work is to visit historical instruments in Spain and research Spanish music. Mineko also deals with Japanese works. In 2020, she released her first CD, La nuit étoilée, which received special commendation in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, honorable mention in Record Geijutsu magazine, and was reviewed in many other publications including the Dutch Orgelnieuws. Mineko currently serves as the organist at Myofukuji Lumbini Academy and teaches at Musashino University. She is also the director of La academia del órgano español. She previously served as assistant organist at Tsukiji Honganji Temple (2006-2015). For more information, visit Mineko’s website: http://minekokojima.com
Graduated from Tamagawa University before completing a master’s course at Musashino Academia Musicae and a diploma course at Ferris University. Received the Naoaki Fukui Award while enrolled in graduate school. Mineko has performed throughout Japan, Europe, and the U.S. Her life’s work is to visit historical instruments in Spain and research Spanish music. Mineko also deals with Japanese works. In 2020, she released her first CD, La nuit étoilée, which received special commendation in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, honorable mention in Record Geijutsu magazine, and was reviewed in many other publications including the Dutch Orgelnieuws. Mineko currently serves as the organist at Myofukuji Lumbini Academy and teaches at Musashino University. She is also the director of La academia del órgano español. She previously served as assistant organist at Tsukiji Honganji Temple (2006-2015). For more information, visit Mineko’s website: http://minekokojima.com
Eriko Kotaka
Graduated from the Geneva Conservatory of Music with a first-class diploma and received a special prize from the city of Geneva. During her studies, Eriko was selected to compete in the International Organ Competition in Switzerland and France. She has performed recitals and choral accompaniments in countries such as Switzerland, France, and Italy, and she is also active as a church organist. Eriko completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in fiscal 2003. She studied organ with Masami Otsuka, Tagashi Sakai, Lionel Rogg, Michel Chapuis, Alessio Corti, and Hatsumi Miura. While continuing to pursue her studies by participating in various master classes in Japan, Europe, and other countries, Eriko performs recitals and accompanies ensembles. She is a member of the Japan Organist Association and the Ibaraki Federation of Musicians. Eriko teaches classical organ at the Yamaha Yokohama School.
Graduated from the Geneva Conservatory of Music with a first-class diploma and received a special prize from the city of Geneva. During her studies, Eriko was selected to compete in the International Organ Competition in Switzerland and France. She has performed recitals and choral accompaniments in countries such as Switzerland, France, and Italy, and she is also active as a church organist. Eriko completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in fiscal 2003. She studied organ with Masami Otsuka, Tagashi Sakai, Lionel Rogg, Michel Chapuis, Alessio Corti, and Hatsumi Miura. While continuing to pursue her studies by participating in various master classes in Japan, Europe, and other countries, Eriko performs recitals and accompanies ensembles. She is a member of the Japan Organist Association and the Ibaraki Federation of Musicians. Eriko teaches classical organ at the Yamaha Yokohama School.
3rd Term: Fiscal 2004
Mina Iizuka
Graduated from the music department at Seirei Women’s Junior in Akita before completing a course in pipe organ at Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima. Mina later studied at the Geneva Conservatory of Music, and participated in master classes and other programs, primarily in Switzerland and France. After returning to Japan, she performed and served as an assistant at the Atorion Music Hall in Akita. Mina completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in fiscal 2004. She studied organ with Yasue Matsuo, Mayumi Tozawa, Tomoko Katori, François Delor, and Hatsumi Miura.
Graduated from the music department at Seirei Women’s Junior in Akita before completing a course in pipe organ at Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima. Mina later studied at the Geneva Conservatory of Music, and participated in master classes and other programs, primarily in Switzerland and France. After returning to Japan, she performed and served as an assistant at the Atorion Music Hall in Akita. Mina completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in fiscal 2004. She studied organ with Yasue Matsuo, Mayumi Tozawa, Tomoko Katori, François Delor, and Hatsumi Miura.
4th Term: Fiscal 2005
Naoko Asao
Graduated from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and obtained her Master’s Degree at Elizabeth University of Music. She has also studied at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Naoko completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in fiscal 2005. She studied organ with Misako Sato, Yoko Yamazaki, Yuko Hayashi, and Hatsumi Miura. Naoko performs in recital, and appears with chorus, brass bands, orchestras in various cities in Japan. She is an organist of Den-enchofu Catholic Church. Naoko teaches organ at Yamaha Music Avenue Ginza and Atelier Baroque Organ School. She is a member of the Japan Organist Association and the Japan Organ Society.
Graduated from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and obtained her Master’s Degree at Elizabeth University of Music. She has also studied at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Naoko completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in fiscal 2005. She studied organ with Misako Sato, Yoko Yamazaki, Yuko Hayashi, and Hatsumi Miura. Naoko performs in recital, and appears with chorus, brass bands, orchestras in various cities in Japan. She is an organist of Den-enchofu Catholic Church. Naoko teaches organ at Yamaha Music Avenue Ginza and Atelier Baroque Organ School. She is a member of the Japan Organist Association and the Japan Organ Society.
Aya Iinuma
After studying organ at Musashino Academia Musicae and the Musikhochschule Lübeck in Germany, Aya completed a graduate course for soloists at the State University of Music and the Performing Arts Stuttgart (HMDK) and received the German National Performance Certificate. She teaches organ courses designed for the general public at HMDK. Aya completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in fiscal 2005. She studied organ with Izumi Ikeda, Teruhisa Fujieda, Jürgen Essl, Bernhard Haas, Hatsumi Miura, and Makiko Hayashima. From 2009 to 2021, she served as a part-time lecturer at the Ferris University School of Music, where she teaches organ and Christian music. She is an organist at Nagahara Church, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ in Japan. She is a member of the Japan Association of Organists, and director of the Principal Organ School.
After studying organ at Musashino Academia Musicae and the Musikhochschule Lübeck in Germany, Aya completed a graduate course for soloists at the State University of Music and the Performing Arts Stuttgart (HMDK) and received the German National Performance Certificate. She teaches organ courses designed for the general public at HMDK. Aya completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in fiscal 2005. She studied organ with Izumi Ikeda, Teruhisa Fujieda, Jürgen Essl, Bernhard Haas, Hatsumi Miura, and Makiko Hayashima. From 2009 to 2021, she served as a part-time lecturer at the Ferris University School of Music, where she teaches organ and Christian music. She is an organist at Nagahara Church, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ in Japan. She is a member of the Japan Association of Organists, and director of the Principal Organ School.
5th Term: Fiscal 2006
Mika Noda
Graduated in music from Musashino College of Music and earned her Master’s Degree at the same university. She has participated in master courses in Europe. She studied organ with Takashi Sakai, Izumi Ikeda, Teruhisa Fujieda, Hatsumi Miura, Takuo Shimura and Makiko Hayashima. Mika completed the hall organist internship at Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall in 2006, and was currently working as a libralian of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. She is the organist and the curator of the organ of Rissho Kosei-Kai, a Buddist organization in Tokyo. She is also teaching at Showa University of Music, Ferris Music Institute and Thoth Music Academy. Mika is a member of The Japan Association of Organists.
Graduated in music from Musashino College of Music and earned her Master’s Degree at the same university. She has participated in master courses in Europe. She studied organ with Takashi Sakai, Izumi Ikeda, Teruhisa Fujieda, Hatsumi Miura, Takuo Shimura and Makiko Hayashima. Mika completed the hall organist internship at Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall in 2006, and was currently working as a libralian of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. She is the organist and the curator of the organ of Rissho Kosei-Kai, a Buddist organization in Tokyo. She is also teaching at Showa University of Music, Ferris Music Institute and Thoth Music Academy. Mika is a member of The Japan Association of Organists.
Ayako Yanagisawa
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, where she majored in organ, and completed a master's course at the same institution. Ayako also completed a course for soloists at the Piteå School of Music in Sweden, and Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program. She received the first prize in the International Messiaen and Bach Organ Competition in Lucerne, Switzerland. Ayako studied organ with Naoko Imai, Tsuguo Hirono, Hatsumi Miura, and Hans-Ola Ericsson. She has performed solo and with various chorus groups and orchestras in Japan and Europe. She served as the organist at Kanto Gakuin Mutsuura Junior and Senior High School until 2016. Ayako is currently an instructor at Ferris Music Institute as well as an organist at Shonan Church, which is affiliated with the Church of Christ in Japan, and Kasumigaoka Church, which is affiliated with the Japan Baptist Union. She is a member of the Japan Association of Organists, and director of the Sakura Music and Organ School.
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, where she majored in organ, and completed a master's course at the same institution. Ayako also completed a course for soloists at the Piteå School of Music in Sweden, and Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program. She received the first prize in the International Messiaen and Bach Organ Competition in Lucerne, Switzerland. Ayako studied organ with Naoko Imai, Tsuguo Hirono, Hatsumi Miura, and Hans-Ola Ericsson. She has performed solo and with various chorus groups and orchestras in Japan and Europe. She served as the organist at Kanto Gakuin Mutsuura Junior and Senior High School until 2016. Ayako is currently an instructor at Ferris Music Institute as well as an organist at Shonan Church, which is affiliated with the Church of Christ in Japan, and Kasumigaoka Church, which is affiliated with the Japan Baptist Union. She is a member of the Japan Association of Organists, and director of the Sakura Music and Organ School.
6th Term: Fiscal 2007
Yuka Ishimaru
Graduated from Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music, Yuka Ishimaru continued to study at the Royal Danish Academy of Music with the scholarship from the government of Denmark, and further at Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart as a member of Japanese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists. Won the Grand prix and Dane & Polly Bales prize at the 22nd International Organ Competition Grand prix de Chartres. She toured both in Europe and in Japan as well as performed with major orchestras and conductors around the globe. She also actively appears in Japanese television programmes. Yuka Ishimaru is highly acclaimed for her passionate and rich sound, performance technique and dense registration of the instrument. She released her 2nd CD “Organ Odyssey” in 2019 and “Organ Christmas” in October 2020. She is teaching at the Musashino Academia Musicae, and from April 2020, she is serving as residential organist at Niigata City Performing Arts Center “RYUTOPIA”.
Graduated from Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music, Yuka Ishimaru continued to study at the Royal Danish Academy of Music with the scholarship from the government of Denmark, and further at Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart as a member of Japanese Government Overseas Study Program for Artists. Won the Grand prix and Dane & Polly Bales prize at the 22nd International Organ Competition Grand prix de Chartres. She toured both in Europe and in Japan as well as performed with major orchestras and conductors around the globe. She also actively appears in Japanese television programmes. Yuka Ishimaru is highly acclaimed for her passionate and rich sound, performance technique and dense registration of the instrument. She released her 2nd CD “Organ Odyssey” in 2019 and “Organ Christmas” in October 2020. She is teaching at the Musashino Academia Musicae, and from April 2020, she is serving as residential organist at Niigata City Performing Arts Center “RYUTOPIA”.
7th Term: Fiscal 2008
Tomoko Kasuga
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music at Tokyo University of the Arts with a major in organ before completing a master's degree at the same institution. Completed the Centre d’étude supérieures de musique et de danse de Toulouse in France with a unanimous first-class diploma. She studied organ with Naoko Imai, Tsuguo Hirono, Makiko Hayashima, Stéfane Bois, Michel Bouvard, Jan Willem Jansen and Hatsumi Miura. Currently based in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Tomoko performs solo as well as with ensembles and as an accompanist while also teaching young people. She is an organist at Hokuriku Gakuin Junior and Senior High School, and Nagamachi Church in Kanazawa. Tomoko is a member of the Japan Association of Organists and the Japan Organ Society.
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music at Tokyo University of the Arts with a major in organ before completing a master's degree at the same institution. Completed the Centre d’étude supérieures de musique et de danse de Toulouse in France with a unanimous first-class diploma. She studied organ with Naoko Imai, Tsuguo Hirono, Makiko Hayashima, Stéfane Bois, Michel Bouvard, Jan Willem Jansen and Hatsumi Miura. Currently based in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Tomoko performs solo as well as with ensembles and as an accompanist while also teaching young people. She is an organist at Hokuriku Gakuin Junior and Senior High School, and Nagamachi Church in Kanazawa. Tomoko is a member of the Japan Association of Organists and the Japan Organ Society.
8th Term: Fiscal 2009
Yuka Kitazawa
Graduated from the Department of Performing Arts at Tamagawa University with a major in organ. Performed in a special concert presented those who passed the audition at the same university, and in the graduation project concert for students who received the dean's award. Performed at the Japan Association of Organists 35th Newcomer's Concert. Completed a master's course at Musashino Academia Musicae, and performed in a concert by students in the post-graduate program. Completed a diploma course at Ferris University, and Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2009. Yuka received the Shirakawa Prize at the 26th Shirakawa Italian Organ Music Academy. She studied organ with Iwaki Nakamura, Yoko Chiba, Teruhisa Fujieda, and Hatsumi Miura. Yuka is a member of the Japan Association of Organists
Graduated from the Department of Performing Arts at Tamagawa University with a major in organ. Performed in a special concert presented those who passed the audition at the same university, and in the graduation project concert for students who received the dean's award. Performed at the Japan Association of Organists 35th Newcomer's Concert. Completed a master's course at Musashino Academia Musicae, and performed in a concert by students in the post-graduate program. Completed a diploma course at Ferris University, and Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2009. Yuka received the Shirakawa Prize at the 26th Shirakawa Italian Organ Music Academy. She studied organ with Iwaki Nakamura, Yoko Chiba, Teruhisa Fujieda, and Hatsumi Miura. Yuka is a member of the Japan Association of Organists
9th Term: Fiscal 2010
Momoko Koshimizu
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music at Ferris University with a major in organ before completing a master's degree at the same university. Momoko completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2011. She studied organ with Yasuko Hirai, Tsuguo Hirono, Tomoko Miyamoto, Hatsumi Miura, Genzoh Takehisa, basso continuo and improvisation with Chiharu Unai, and harpsichord with Genzoh Takehisa. While in her second year of graduate school, Momoko was internally selected to perform with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra in the Orchestra Evening Concert. She is currently an organist at Kofu Central Church, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ in Japan, and the Denenchofu Catholic Church. She is also an instructor in the organ department at Ferris Music Institute. Momoko is a member of the Japan Association of Organists and the Japan Organ Society.
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music at Ferris University with a major in organ before completing a master's degree at the same university. Momoko completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2011. She studied organ with Yasuko Hirai, Tsuguo Hirono, Tomoko Miyamoto, Hatsumi Miura, Genzoh Takehisa, basso continuo and improvisation with Chiharu Unai, and harpsichord with Genzoh Takehisa. While in her second year of graduate school, Momoko was internally selected to perform with the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra in the Orchestra Evening Concert. She is currently an organist at Kofu Central Church, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ in Japan, and the Denenchofu Catholic Church. She is also an instructor in the organ department at Ferris Music Institute. Momoko is a member of the Japan Association of Organists and the Japan Organ Society.
10th Term: Fiscal 2011
Reiko Okamoto
Born in Yamanashi, Japan. After her graduation from Musashino Academia Musicae University in Tokyo, where she obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees finishing in 2006 with Professor Teruhisa Fujieda, she continued her study under Yumiko Ogino and Hatsumi Miura. She completed the Diploma course of music at Ferris University in Yokohama Kanagawa. Since 2013 fall she was an assistant organist at The Parish of Christ Church Andover, Massachusetts under Barbara Bruns. She also worked as an organist at Old west church, Boston in 2015.
Born in Yamanashi, Japan. After her graduation from Musashino Academia Musicae University in Tokyo, where she obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees finishing in 2006 with Professor Teruhisa Fujieda, she continued her study under Yumiko Ogino and Hatsumi Miura. She completed the Diploma course of music at Ferris University in Yokohama Kanagawa. Since 2013 fall she was an assistant organist at The Parish of Christ Church Andover, Massachusetts under Barbara Bruns. She also worked as an organist at Old west church, Boston in 2015.
11th Term: Fiscal 2012
Yumiko Tatsuta
Dr. Yumiko Tatsuta is an internationally active performer and scholar. Dr. Tatsuta was not only the first Asian but also the first woman to earn a doctoral degree from the Organ Department at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music under the tutelage of Department Chair, Dr. Janette Fishell. Dr. Tatsuta has received numerous international awards and grants, including a prestigious honor presented to young and upcoming artists by the Japanese government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. Dr. Tatsuta was also selected as an exchange artist in the U.S.-Japan Program in 2017-2018, and received the German government’s DAAD scholarship after completing graduate studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Stuttgart. In April 2022, Dr. Tatsuta joined the full-time faculty at Kwassui Women’s University in Nagasaki.
Dr. Yumiko Tatsuta is an internationally active performer and scholar. Dr. Tatsuta was not only the first Asian but also the first woman to earn a doctoral degree from the Organ Department at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music under the tutelage of Department Chair, Dr. Janette Fishell. Dr. Tatsuta has received numerous international awards and grants, including a prestigious honor presented to young and upcoming artists by the Japanese government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. Dr. Tatsuta was also selected as an exchange artist in the U.S.-Japan Program in 2017-2018, and received the German government’s DAAD scholarship after completing graduate studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Stuttgart. In April 2022, Dr. Tatsuta joined the full-time faculty at Kwassui Women’s University in Nagasaki.
12th Term: Fiscal 2013
Maki Tomita
After studying at Nara University of Education and Kobe Shoin Women's University, Maki graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts with a degree in organ before completing a master’s degree at the same institution. She studied piano with Hatsuko Kamei, Noriko Maeda, and Masako Nakai, and organ with Midori Saburi, Miho Hasegawa, Masaaki Suzuki, Yufuko Ogure, Kaoru Dobashi, Naoya Otsuka, and Rie Hiroe. In 2011, she won a prize at Organ without Borders, an international competition held in France, Germany, and Luxembourg. Maki received the Acanthus Music Prize upon completing her master’s degree. She is an organ instructor at the Kankodo Yamaha Music School, and an Organist at the Sakura Shinmachi Church, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ in Japan. Maki is a member of the Japan Association of Organists and the Japan Organ Society.
After studying at Nara University of Education and Kobe Shoin Women's University, Maki graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts with a degree in organ before completing a master’s degree at the same institution. She studied piano with Hatsuko Kamei, Noriko Maeda, and Masako Nakai, and organ with Midori Saburi, Miho Hasegawa, Masaaki Suzuki, Yufuko Ogure, Kaoru Dobashi, Naoya Otsuka, and Rie Hiroe. In 2011, she won a prize at Organ without Borders, an international competition held in France, Germany, and Luxembourg. Maki received the Acanthus Music Prize upon completing her master’s degree. She is an organ instructor at the Kankodo Yamaha Music School, and an Organist at the Sakura Shinmachi Church, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ in Japan. Maki is a member of the Japan Association of Organists and the Japan Organ Society.
13th Term: Fiscal 2014
Mina Uehira
Mina Uehira is a classically trained organist with 20+ years of experience.
She majored the piano at Tokyo Metropolitan Senior High School of Fine Arts, Performing Arts, and Classical Music. She started her concentration on the organ at Ferris University (studied under Tomoko Miyamoto, and Hatsumi Miura), received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organ Performance. Appeared in a Debut Recital organized by the Japan Association of Organists in 2007, the same year she was accepted as an assistant organist at the Christ Church Andover, Massachusetts, in the U.S. She won the Gherardeschi Prize at the 24th Shirakawa Italian Organ Music Academy, 2008. She completed a one-year internship at Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall in 2014. She also was a member of the organist guild of the Chapel at St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo from 2007 to 2017 and is currently an organist of Hokusei Gakuen University in Hokkaido.
Mina Uehira is a classically trained organist with 20+ years of experience.
She majored the piano at Tokyo Metropolitan Senior High School of Fine Arts, Performing Arts, and Classical Music. She started her concentration on the organ at Ferris University (studied under Tomoko Miyamoto, and Hatsumi Miura), received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organ Performance. Appeared in a Debut Recital organized by the Japan Association of Organists in 2007, the same year she was accepted as an assistant organist at the Christ Church Andover, Massachusetts, in the U.S. She won the Gherardeschi Prize at the 24th Shirakawa Italian Organ Music Academy, 2008. She completed a one-year internship at Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall in 2014. She also was a member of the organist guild of the Chapel at St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo from 2007 to 2017 and is currently an organist of Hokusei Gakuen University in Hokkaido.
14th Term: Fiscal 2015
Tomoko Ohyama
Tomoko Ohyama began playing the piano at the age of three. Graduated from Faculty of Letters at Konan Women's University, and Souai University, where she majored in organ and also completed a music course. Received a German government scholarship from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), and completed an undergraduate and a master’s degree in organ and ancient music at the State University of Music and the Performing Arts Stuttgart. During her studies, Tomoko was twice selected to receive grants from the Nomura Cultural Foundation. She studied pipe organ with Kaoru Dobashi, Seiji Kubota, and Ludger Lohmann, and harpsichord and clavichord with Jörg Halubek. A recital Tomoko gave in Heilbronn was highly praised in the Heilbronner Stimme newspaper the following day. She was invited to work with organ academies in Bremen, German and Pistoia, Italy. Tomoko is a member of the Japan Association of Organists.
Tomoko Ohyama began playing the piano at the age of three. Graduated from Faculty of Letters at Konan Women's University, and Souai University, where she majored in organ and also completed a music course. Received a German government scholarship from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), and completed an undergraduate and a master’s degree in organ and ancient music at the State University of Music and the Performing Arts Stuttgart. During her studies, Tomoko was twice selected to receive grants from the Nomura Cultural Foundation. She studied pipe organ with Kaoru Dobashi, Seiji Kubota, and Ludger Lohmann, and harpsichord and clavichord with Jörg Halubek. A recital Tomoko gave in Heilbronn was highly praised in the Heilbronner Stimme newspaper the following day. She was invited to work with organ academies in Bremen, German and Pistoia, Italy. Tomoko is a member of the Japan Association of Organists.
15th Term: Fiscal 2016
Yuka MANGEOL-ISHIKAWA
After finishing her studies at Tokyo municipal high school of the arts (with a major in musicology), Yuka Ishikawa obtained her bachelor and master of music, with organ as major, from Tokyo University of the Arts. She was awarded the Acanthus prize for her achievements. She has also obtained a “diploma of musical studies” for harpsichord, piano accompaniment, harmony and composition at the Conservatoire Régional in Toulouse, France. She has studied the organ with renowned professors Michel Bouvard, Jan Willem Jansen, Rie Hiroe, Yuichiro Shiina and Mitsuko Matsuura. In 2016, she was selected for the ‘Geidai morning concerts’.
In 2018, she reaches the semi-finals of the Pierre de Manchicourt international organ competition in Saint-Omer, France. She was resident organist at the Croix-Daurade church in Toulouse, France and was a piano professor in a music school until August,2022. She also gives organ concerts and accompanies several musicians in the south-west of France.
After finishing her studies at Tokyo municipal high school of the arts (with a major in musicology), Yuka Ishikawa obtained her bachelor and master of music, with organ as major, from Tokyo University of the Arts. She was awarded the Acanthus prize for her achievements. She has also obtained a “diploma of musical studies” for harpsichord, piano accompaniment, harmony and composition at the Conservatoire Régional in Toulouse, France. She has studied the organ with renowned professors Michel Bouvard, Jan Willem Jansen, Rie Hiroe, Yuichiro Shiina and Mitsuko Matsuura. In 2016, she was selected for the ‘Geidai morning concerts’.
In 2018, she reaches the semi-finals of the Pierre de Manchicourt international organ competition in Saint-Omer, France. She was resident organist at the Croix-Daurade church in Toulouse, France and was a piano professor in a music school until August,2022. She also gives organ concerts and accompanies several musicians in the south-west of France.
16th Term: Fiscal 2017
Natsumi Sawa
Graduated from Senzoku Gakuen University of Music, with a bachelor degree in organ. With her successful graduation concert, she was certified as a special selected performer for the university graduation concert and the 43rd Organ Rookie Concert by the Japan Organist Association. Not only solo organ playing, she has also performed with many orchestras and brass bands. She studied the organ with Yumiko Ogino and Hatsumi Miura. From 2018, she studied under François Espinasse and Liesbeth Schlumberger at Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique, France. She also studied improvisation with G. Margueri, harpsichord with Yves Rechsteiner and free improvisation with Jean-Marc Foltz. In recent years, she has expanded her activities as an improviser.
From 2022, she is going to continue her study as a master student at CNSMD-LYON.
Graduated from Senzoku Gakuen University of Music, with a bachelor degree in organ. With her successful graduation concert, she was certified as a special selected performer for the university graduation concert and the 43rd Organ Rookie Concert by the Japan Organist Association. Not only solo organ playing, she has also performed with many orchestras and brass bands. She studied the organ with Yumiko Ogino and Hatsumi Miura. From 2018, she studied under François Espinasse and Liesbeth Schlumberger at Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique, France. She also studied improvisation with G. Margueri, harpsichord with Yves Rechsteiner and free improvisation with Jean-Marc Foltz. In recent years, she has expanded her activities as an improviser.
From 2022, she is going to continue her study as a master student at CNSMD-LYON.
17th Term: Fiscal 2018
Eriko Yamaji
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music, at Tokyo University of the Arts with a major in organ before completing a master's degree at the same institution. Received the Acanthus Music Prize for post-graduate students. While in graduate school, Eriko studied at the conservatory in Toulouse, completing courses in organ, harpsichord (DEM qualification), and ancient music. She also received a scholarship from the Aoyama Music Foundation, and completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2019. Eriko studied abroad as part of the tenth term of the Tobitate! (Leap for Tomorrow) Young Ambassador Program. She studied organ with Naoko Imai, Rie Hiroe, and Michel Bouvard, basso continuo with Yuichiro Shiina, improvisation with Takeshi Kondo and Philippe Lefebvre, and harpsichord with Asami Hirosawa and Yasuko Uyama. She is an organist at Sendai Higashi Ichibancho Church, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ in Japan. Eriko is a member of the Japan Association of Organists.
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music, at Tokyo University of the Arts with a major in organ before completing a master's degree at the same institution. Received the Acanthus Music Prize for post-graduate students. While in graduate school, Eriko studied at the conservatory in Toulouse, completing courses in organ, harpsichord (DEM qualification), and ancient music. She also received a scholarship from the Aoyama Music Foundation, and completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2019. Eriko studied abroad as part of the tenth term of the Tobitate! (Leap for Tomorrow) Young Ambassador Program. She studied organ with Naoko Imai, Rie Hiroe, and Michel Bouvard, basso continuo with Yuichiro Shiina, improvisation with Takeshi Kondo and Philippe Lefebvre, and harpsichord with Asami Hirosawa and Yasuko Uyama. She is an organist at Sendai Higashi Ichibancho Church, which is affiliated with the United Church of Christ in Japan. Eriko is a member of the Japan Association of Organists.
18th Term: Fiscal 2019
Ikuyo Mikami
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music, at Tokyo University of the Arts with a major in organ before completing a master's degree at the same institution. Ikuyo studied at conservatories in Toulouse and Caen, where she completed courses in organ, harpsichord, and basso continuo. She won the first prize in the Mikael Tariverdiev International Organ Competition and a special prize for the best performance of a Tariverdiev work in the same event. She won first prize at the International Organ Competition of Biarritz, and was awarded a Nomura Foundation scholarship for the first half of 2018. Ikuyo completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2020. She studied organ with Naoya Otsuka, Tomoko Hidemura, Naoko Imai, Rie Hiroe, Jan Willem Jansen, Michel Bouvard, and Erwan Le Prado. She has given concerts in Japan as well as throughout Europe. Ikuyo is a member of the Japan Association of Organists and the Japan Organ Society.
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music, at Tokyo University of the Arts with a major in organ before completing a master's degree at the same institution. Ikuyo studied at conservatories in Toulouse and Caen, where she completed courses in organ, harpsichord, and basso continuo. She won the first prize in the Mikael Tariverdiev International Organ Competition and a special prize for the best performance of a Tariverdiev work in the same event. She won first prize at the International Organ Competition of Biarritz, and was awarded a Nomura Foundation scholarship for the first half of 2018. Ikuyo completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2020. She studied organ with Naoya Otsuka, Tomoko Hidemura, Naoko Imai, Rie Hiroe, Jan Willem Jansen, Michel Bouvard, and Erwan Le Prado. She has given concerts in Japan as well as throughout Europe. Ikuyo is a member of the Japan Association of Organists and the Japan Organ Society.
Risa Toho
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music, at Tokyo University of the Arts with a major in organ, and is currently enrolled in a master’s program at the same institution. Awarded the Ataka Prize, Ryohei Miyata Scholarship, and Acanthus Music Prize. Risa also won the grand prize at the 2nd Church Music in Nagasaki Organ Audition, and performed at Tokyo University of the Arts and the Korea National University of Arts Exchange Concert in 2017, and the 46th Japan Association of Organists Newcomers’ Concert in 2019. She completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2020. She studied organ with Mitsuko Matsuura, Takeshi Kondo, Rie Hiroe, and Matthias Maierhofer, basso continuo with Yuichiro Shiina, improvisation with Takeshi Kondo, and harpsichord with Asami Hirosawa. Risa is currently enrolled at the University of Music Freiburg.
Graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music, at Tokyo University of the Arts with a major in organ, and is currently enrolled in a master’s program at the same institution. Awarded the Ataka Prize, Ryohei Miyata Scholarship, and Acanthus Music Prize. Risa also won the grand prize at the 2nd Church Music in Nagasaki Organ Audition, and performed at Tokyo University of the Arts and the Korea National University of Arts Exchange Concert in 2017, and the 46th Japan Association of Organists Newcomers’ Concert in 2019. She completed Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall’s Hall Organist Internship Program in 2020. She studied organ with Mitsuko Matsuura, Takeshi Kondo, Rie Hiroe, and Matthias Maierhofer, basso continuo with Yuichiro Shiina, improvisation with Takeshi Kondo, and harpsichord with Asami Hirosawa. Risa is currently enrolled at the University of Music Freiburg.
