Anglo-Japanese Mariko Brown began her piano studies with Martyn Dyke, with whom she performed regularly including at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon, as well as for many outreach community projects. She made her first concerto appearance age nine under Dr.Ruth Gipps, subsequently going on to study at the Guildhall School Junior Department with Professor Joan Havill where she won the prestigious Lutine Prize. This led to concerto appearances at the Barbican Hall and St.Giles Cripplegate as part of the City of London Festival. During this time she also took up composition with Gary Carpenter, receiving a prize for her Oboe Sonata. She was awarded the Principal's Prize on graduation from the Junior Department and went on to continue her studies at the Senior Department, with both teachers and also Simon Bainbridge, graduating in 2000. Her Piano Sonata, commissioned and performed by Helen Reid, in 2004, was premiered at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.
More recently her piece for piano four hands "Travels Through a Mist of Chinese Mountains", written for her duo with Julian Jacobson, has received critical acclaim. The duo, formed in 2011, has established itself as an ensemble of rare distinction, vitality and originality.
A dedicated and sought-after teacher, Mariko taught for many years at Junior Guildhall and currently teaches at the Yehudi Menuhin School.
www.marikojulianpianoduo.com
