Yuko Kawai

After graduating from Nagoya Municipal Kikuzato High School Music Department, she studied piano, organ, conducting and chamber music under Professor Atsuko Ohori, Professor Both Lehel and Yuzo Toyama at Aichi Prefectural University of Arts and Music.She studied at Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw (Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw) and gained her diploma in 1994.[1]

During her postgraduate studies in Aichi, her talent was spotted by Professor Jan Ekier, during his visit to Japan. They met in Nagoya and Ekier invited her to Warsaw.

Ekier visited Japan five times. His last visit was early in spring in 1990. He gave Chopin lectures and master-classes all over Japan. In 1990 Kawai was studying at Aichi Prefectural University of Arts and Music and attended his lesson in Nagoya. She played Chopin's Sonata in B minor Op.58. After the lesson Ekier immediately told Kawai to come to Poland, to his class at Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw. During the Japan tour Ekier had lessons with over 60 pianists, mainly Chopin Competition participants in October 1990, but only Kawai was invited as his pupil.[2] At that time Ekier told the masterclass interpreter about Kawai: "She has great potential. And she has very good hands as a pianist."[3]

After receiving the 3rd prize at The International Chopin Piano Competition in Marienbad in July 1995, Kawai took part the XIII International Chopin Piano Competition in October 1995 in Warsaw, though did not receive a prize. TVP, Polish Radio, "Wiadomości Kulturalne" magazine - the media gave Kawai a lot of attention. Polish Radio Program 1 (Pierwszy Program Polskiego Radia) made a 30-minute special radio report, featuring her performing and life. After the airing of the report in November 1995, suddenly Kawai received a lot of offers and did a 14-recital concert tour of Poland in February and March in 1996.