Profiles of performers 2018

Takae Hirano 平野たかえ (Soprano)

Takae Hirano received her Master’s degree in classical vocal performance from Tokyo University of the Arts (formerly Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music). She has performed in many recitals, including “Soirée de Gabriel Fauré,” I and II in Japan. She also performed as “Jashin” in “Shojin-ga-ike Gensou,” which is a new work of Japanese opera trying to combine Japanese traditional instruments (Koto) with western style voice performance. Her past experiences include “Camilla” in “Il Gioco del Quadriglio” by Antonio Caldara, Lady III in “Ladies Voices” by Charles Shere, and the second Lady in “Die Zauber öte (Magic Flute)” by W. A. Mozart. She won the rst prize of the Mozart Aria Division and the second prize of the Classical Recital Division at the Bay Area Vocal Arts Competition. She joined “Summer Music West” in 1997 and 1999. She is also a music director of Kiite morai-tai, a music volunteer group for senior citizens in the Bay Area. She served as a conductor of Harmony ‘84 (a Japanese women’s chorus group) from 1998 to 2010, and Mixed Chorus Kakehashi (a Japanese mixed chorus group) from 2008 to 2015. She has been living in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1995.

Tetsuya Taura 田浦徹也 (Tenor)

Tetsuya Taura has moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2003 to work for a pharmaceutical company as a molecular biologist. He co-developed his vocal and biological skills at his graduate school laboratory. He enjoys singing operatic and classical pieces with his friends in the Bay Area. He also sings with professional and amateur chorus groups.

Hitoshi Kondo 近藤仁史 (Alto/Soprano Saxophone)

Born in Yokohama, Japan, Hitoshi started playing the saxophone in his junior high school’s wind ensemble. He received his saxophone lessons from Mr. David Henderson who is the rst-call saxophonist in San Francisco Symphony. Hitoshi has been serving as concert master for the Yokohama Philharmonic Society Wind Orchestra from 2001. He played “Ballade for Alto Saxophone and Band” by Alfred Reed in the wind orchestra conducted by Mr. Hiroyuki Odano in 2006 and received a favorable reputation. He also has been serving as chief arranger for this band from 1998 with many wind orchestra and chamber music arrangements. His wind orchestra arrangement for “El sombrero de tres picos” by M. de Falla has been provided for a concert in Tokyo University of the Arts (formerly Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music). He also provided his orchestra adaptation of “Bolero” by M. Ravel for the movie Nodame Cantabile Final Movement. He has also been playing as a guest saxophonist in many Japanese orchestras performing “L’Arlésienne” by G. Bizet, “Bolero” by M. Ravel, and many others in Yokohama Symphony Orchestra, Toshiba Philharmonic Orchestra, Mizuho Philharmony, Kamakura Symphony Orchestra, L’Orchestre du Concert 21, Meiji University Alumni Symphony Orchestra, and so on. He is a member of Stanford Saxophone Choir and served as concert master in a saxophone orchestra with fty saxophone players in a master class with Dr. Paul Cohen in Manhattan School of Music in 2017.

Hatsuho Hama 濵初帆 (Marimba)

Born in Saitama, Japan, Hatsuho began playing the marimba from the age of 7. She won many competitions in Japan, including achieving 1st place both at the National Junior Classical Music Competition in 2006 and the 2009 KOBE International Music Contest and placed 4th at the 2008 Japan Classical Music Competition.

Hatsuho graduated with Honors from the Musashino Academia Musicae with a Masters degree in Music in 2013 as a scholarship student. Since graduating she has performed not only in a number of concerts, but also held her rst solo recital in 2015. She also lead a music class of approximately 25 students as a lecturer while also continuing to participate in musical performances. Hatsuho moved to California in May of 2017 with her husband to accompany him during his work related stay in the U.S.

Aki Nakao 中尾亜貴 (Piano)

Aki started playing the piano at the age of 5, learning from 8-year-old Wako Kobayashi, her sister. She later studied under Ms. Hisako Watanabe, a professional instructor who sent many students to top-class music schools. Aki was unfortunately not one of them. She gave up her dream of becoming a professional pianist and majored chemistry at Ochanomizu University, and earned a Master’s degree of Engineering from the University of Tokyo. She has always been a busy working mom but her passion for music never ends. She has been performing as a piano accompanist for Takae Hirano since 2014. She also volunteers to organize small music recitals twice a year.

Chizuko Lobbia ロビア千津子 (Piano)

Chizuko began studying piano at the age of 2 years old in Japan. She took a break and then resumed study in 2004, along with performing as timpanist for the Wiinchester and Mission College orchestras. She currently studies piano with Sandra Wright-Shen in San Jose, California, along with Ruth Slenczynska. In 2015 she was selected to perform with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at Piano Texas, playing Mendelssohn piano concerto No. 1, 1st & 2nd movements. She rst attended Piano Texas in 2012, and in 2014 was also selected to play Mozart Piano Concerto No.9 (K.271), 3rd movement with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. In 2013 she played Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3, 3rd movement at the California Concerto Weekend. In 2011 she performed Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3, 1st movement with the Mission College Orchestra. For chamber music she has performed “Poulanc Trio for Oboe, Basson and Piano” and “Kuhlau Grand Trio for ute, cello and piano” at the San Francisco Symphony workshop, along with Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 Op. 49, 1st movement for the PTNA Society in Japan. She enjoys life with her husband and 2 cats. She is also taking ower arrangement, French cuisine, bread making and shadow box classes as a hobby.