BIOGRAPHY - Christine Yoshikawa, piano

Christine Yoshikawa has been hailed by critics as a pianist of "pure power " (South Bend Tribune), "remarkable endurance, refinement, precision and authority" (The Observer), and praised for her "radiant lyricism, elegance and warmth" (Georgia Straight). In regular concerto engagements and recitals in major halls around the world, she has quickly established herself as one of Canada's sought-after young pianists. A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, she began her piano studies at age two and won her first major national competition at age six. After making her concerto debut with the Westminster Philharmonic at age nine, she has collected top prizes at several national and international competitions. A frequent collaborator in chamber music with some of the world's finest musicians, she is also an advocate for contemporary music. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from Arizona State University under the tutelage of renowned American pianist Robert Hamilton and holds additional performance degrees with distinction honours from the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia where her former teachers include Arthur Rowe and Jane Coop. She has also worked with the late Gyorgy Sebok at the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts. Dr. Yoshikawa has presented masterclasses in North America and abroad, and has taught at the University of British Columbia, Grand Canyon University, and Arizona State University. She is currently on the roster of Recording Artists for the Eroica Record Label and her CD is scheduled for release later this year.