KUNIKO is a soloist who is internationally recognized as one of the most gifted and significant percussionists of her generation. Her technical virtuosity, exquisite musical insight and expressive yet elegant performance style continue to attract not only audiences but major conductors and composers as well. She is renowned for her flawless technique, performing seamlessly on both tuned and untuned percussion with deep musical intelligence. KUNIKO's native Japanese DNA gives colorful language and dimension to her interpretation.
Kuniko studied under the world marimba legend Keiko Abe at Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, Japan and continued her studies under Robert Van Sice at Rotterdam Conservatorium in the Netherlands where she graduated with the highest honour (summa cum laude) - the first percussionist ever to do so.
Whilst studying she was already performing professionally and played various concertos and solo recitals including "Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra" written by Akira Miyoshi. After graduating she lived in Europe where she won competitions and awards including the Kranichsteiner Musikpreis in the Darmstadt '(1996), 2nd prize at 1st International Leigh Stevens Marimba competition (1995), Cultural Award from her town Toyohashi, Japan (2002)., etc.
In 1997, she recorded James Wood's Marimba Concerto in London where her performance was highly complimented by BBC (NMC label, also the live performance in Huddersfield Festival 2001 that was on air by BBC).
Also her first solo CD "To the Earth" was released in 1999 by alacarte cie label.
Today KUNIKO continues to perform and collaborate in many recitals and recording sessions with various world renowned composers, conductors and orchestras including Franco Donatoni, James Wood, Toru Takemitsu, Ianis Xenakis, Seiji Ozawa, Steve Reich, Unsuk Chin, etc.. Along with her solo works in Asia, Europe and U.S, she has been a performing member of orchestra and chamber groups such as Saito Kinen Orchestra, Ensemble ICTUS (Belgium) and Ensemble NOMAD (Tokyo).
Career highlights for KUNIKO include Japan premiere of "Music Theatre JODO" in 2005 dedicated by James Wood, which the story is based on Yukio Mishima's novel.
In May of 2006, KUNIKO revived the legendary percussion concerto "CASSIOPEIA" by Toru Takemitsu as a part of Takemitsu Memorial Concert at Tokyo Opera City in Japan and the performance was live-recorded to a limited edition CD.
Multi faced KUNIKO has been collaborating in creative art scenes with renowned artists from different genres of performing arts such as Megumi Nakamura-Dancer at NDT, Satoshi Miyagi-Theatrical director, Za Ondecoza- Japanese Taiko troop, etc. Also she produces various commercial music that includes a theme music for TV program NHK Art Theatre.
As Kuniko continues to perform around the world, in 2008-09 seasons she showcased a solo recital at Sao Paulo Univ. for their 1st International Percussion Festival, appeared at historic Monday Evening Concert in Los Angeles, solo recital at Vancouver New Music, double concerto by Unsuk Chin at Suntory Summer Festival and many others.
KUNIKO's recent engagements include the production of a new live performance titled "Sound Space Experiment - Steel Drum Works" in Tokyo, Japan on March, 2009, where she world-premiered "Electric Counterpoint by Steve Reich, version for multi-percussions.
In addition KUNIKO has strongly committed to music education through various forms of percussion workshops, master classes and open-rehearsals whenever possible in conjunction with her solo recitals. Since 2004 she has been conducting series of log drum (slit drum) workshops for children with mental deficiency in Japan, and she will continue to devote her skills and talents toward music education and cultural contribution.
She has been performing as one of a few world wide endorsers of Adams Musical Instruments and Pearl Musical Instruments. KUNIKO currently resides in U.S.A..