Music on Thursdays
Yuka Nagai, violin Kei Takumi, piano courtesy of the Royal Academy of Music |
Supported by: Leatherhead Concert & Arts Society |
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Yuka Nagai, violin
The Japanese violinist, Yuka Nagai is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music with Prof Mayumi Fujikawa. Yuka has BMus and MA degrees from Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo, Japan. She obtained a teaching qualification and has taught a number of high school students. She was selected to play in Musashino Academia Symphony Orchestra as leader for 3 years, between 2007 and 2010.
Yuka has also played in several ensembles as a chamber musician - duos, piano trio and piano quartet. As violinist with the Piano quartet “Blüte” she won the bronze prize of the competition for chamber music and afterwards this ensemble’s recital was sponsored by Tokyo Art Centre. Yuka is devoted to playing music, focusing on the relation between her heart, mind and body. Her characteristic violin sound is a result of her studies in Japan and in London.
Yuka has also played in several ensembles as a chamber musician - duos, piano trio and piano quartet. As violinist with the Piano quartet “Blüte” she won the bronze prize of the competition for chamber music and afterwards this ensemble’s recital was sponsored by Tokyo Art Centre. Yuka is devoted to playing music, focusing on the relation between her heart, mind and body. Her characteristic violin sound is a result of her studies in Japan and in London.
Kei Takumi, piano
Pianist Kei Takumi was born in Aichi, Japan in 1992. He began piano studies at
the age of 3 in Yamaha Music School. After graduating from the Supreme Course
in Yamaha Music Foundation, he went to London to pursue his studies at
the Royal Academy of Music, where he has been a full scholarship student since
2011.
Kei was the
youngest finalist at the 8th Hamamatsu
International Piano Competition in 2012 and won the 6th prize and
the Best Performer of the commissioned contemporary work. He has also won the 2nd
prize at the PTNA Piano Competition for Promising Pianists in 2011, the special
prize at the Grieg International Piano Competition in 2010, and the silver
prize at the 10th International Chopin Piano Competition in ASIA in 2009.
While giving recitals frequently in Nagoya and Tokyo, Kei is currently expanding his activities as a pianist in Europe and in chamber ensemble and accompaniment. He has performed with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, and Shibuya Symphony Orchestra.
Kei studied piano under Hironao Suzuki, Seizo Azuma, Vera Gornostaeva, and is now studying under Christopher Elton at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
While giving recitals frequently in Nagoya and Tokyo, Kei is currently expanding his activities as a pianist in Europe and in chamber ensemble and accompaniment. He has performed with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, and Shibuya Symphony Orchestra.
Kei studied piano under Hironao Suzuki, Seizo Azuma, Vera Gornostaeva, and is now studying under Christopher Elton at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
