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Pianist

Mariko North

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About Mariko

Pianist
Exeter

Scottish-Japanese pianist Mariko Asakawa-North received her first piano and violin lessons at the age of 7 in her hometown of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire after the surprise gift of a piano from her beloved Japanese grandfather. From the age of 13 she was a violin and piano scholar at North East of Scotland Music School with Gillian Findlay (violin), and Nigel Clayton (piano). In 2001 she won first prize in the Moray International Piano Competition, and shortly thereafter began her studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with John Thwaites. From 2004 she continued her studies at the Royal College of Music with John Blakely. In 2007 she received her Post Graduate Diploma from the Royal College of Music supported by an award from Pro Musica Ltd, specialising in piano accompaniment under John Blakely and Roger Vignoles. In 2011 she received a bursary to study with Ian Brown (solo) and Andrew West (accompaniment) at the Dartington International Summer School. After several years of freelancing as a pianist, accompanist, chamber musician, repetiteur and teacher in London, Mariko began to develop a keen interest in contemporary music, and in 2013 embarked upon a Master’s degree with world-renowned contemporary pianist and composer, Rolf Hind, at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with generous scholarships from the Worshipful Company of Stationers and the Guildhall Music Trust. Her final recital, which she performed in Milton Court at the Barbican Centre was awarded a distinction. During her college years she played in numerous masterclasses with such distinguished artists as Dominique Merlet, Stephen Kovacevic, Martino Tirimo, Boris Berman, Malcolm Martineau, and Peter Hill. Mariko has performed at various prestigious venues throughout the United Kingdom. Recent concerts include performances at LSO St Luke’s, Bluthners Piano Centre, The Edinburgh Festival (with Opera Bohemia) and Barbican Hall (as part of the BBC Total Immersion Series, recorded for BBC Radio 3). Mariko is now based in Exeter, Devon, where she has a busy chamber music performance schedule and works as a Visiting Music Teacher at Blundell's School, one of the UK's leading independent schools.

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