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Historical Piano Concerts Series
About the Musicians

Ayako Oshima

 Ayako Oshima, clarinet

Ayako Oshima, winner of numerous international competitions including the 55th JapanMusic Competition in Tokyo, the Winds and Percussion Competition in Japan, and the 17th International Jeunesses Musicales Competition in Belgrade (where she also received the“Golden Harp” award given to the favorite of the audience and critics) is one of the most popular clarinet soloists in Japan. 

She performs on a regular basis both in recital and in concerto appearances with orchestras, including performances in Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, Tanuma, in Tokyo at the Casals Hall, the Kioi Hall, and the Bunka Kaikan, and with the Hiroshima and Osaka Symphonies. She is an active chamber music festival performer as well, including the Kuhmo Festival in Finland, the Festival Consonances in France, and the Sarasota Summer Music Festival in Florida. 

Ms. Oshima is a member of the noted ensemble, Contrasts Quartet, and, playing historical clarinets, is a member of the acclaimed period wind instrument ensemble, Mozzafiato. Ayako Oshima has recorded for Toshiba EMI, Victor Japan, Naxos, and with Mozzafiato for Sony Vivarte. She has recently recorded “Songs of Japan” for the Aurora label and her most recent recording of Bel Canto music for two clarinets was released in 2011. 

In addition to her performing career, she maintains a high profile as a teacher and is on the faculties of the State University of New York at Purchase, the Juilliard School, and the Hartt School.  She has kept her connection with the Toho School of Music in Tokyo and gives regular master classes there. She has also served on the juries of both the Japan Music Competition and the Japan Winds, Percussion International Competition, and the Jacques Lancelot International Clarinet Competition.
 
She has founded and is the Director of the Kita Karuizawa Music Seminar which attracts clarinet students from all over Asia. With her husband, Charles Neidich, she has written a book on the fundamentals of clarinet technique published by Toa Ongaku Inc. and writes a monthly column on music and the clarinet for Pipers Magazine. In 2011, She also founded the all female Clarinet Ensemble, NY Licorice Ensemble.

You can keep up with her many facets  at her web site, ayakooshima.com/ .