Azusa Matano, born in Tokyo, has been playing the piano since she was three years old. She received her training from her Aunt Joko Gondo and studied at the Toho School of Music for Children. Whilst attending, she took part in masterclasses with Zoltan Kocsis and Takashi Yamazaki and was then selected to play modern pieces for children in two broadcasted performances.
In 1974, Azusa came to the UK and studied at the Purcell School for young Musicians with Miss Vera Yelverton, winning various prizes at music festivals and taking part in concerts at the Purcell Room and Queen Elizabeth Hall. In 1977, she entered Trinity College of Music where her professor was Joseph weingarten. She was awarded many prizes, including the best Fellowship Diploma of the year alongside her LTCL Diploma. She continued further advanced study with Kendall Taylor and Phyllis Sellick at The Royal College of Music where she received an ARCM Diploma.
Azusa has given several concerts across Europe, all over the UK and Japan as both soloist and chamber musician. She has also performed on numerous occasions as a duo with her sister, Japanese violinist Nagisa Kiriyama. After having her two children, she has over thirty years of experience teaching in schools and private one-to-one lessons.
