Seiko Nagaoka began learning the piano at the age of four. By the age of ten, she was the fourth best child pianist at a nationwide piano competition in Japan.

Originally, she came to the UK to study TESOL and acquire an MA degree in
Canterbury. It was there in the summer of 2005 that one of her performances of her own compositions had such an effect that one old couple were moved to tears for about 20 minutes. The lady said that Seiko's compositions were the most beautiful music she had ever heard. The following day, the couple brought Seiko a potted flower and a letter saying: 'we are grateful of your kindness, thank you'. This experience inspired Seiko to concentrate more on studying the piano. It now seemed a real possibility that her music might act as a means of healing people like the old couple on whom it had such a positive effect.

In December 2005, Seiko was accepted as a postgraduate student at the Royal
Academy of Music in London, being one of the few candidates to be given a place. She completed her study, receiving a postgraduate diploma in performance of piano at the Royal Academy of Music and has also gained an MA TESOL in Canterbury.

Again and again audiences were moved to tears and began asking her to make a CD. Seiko subsequently recorded 13 of her own compositions. This CD was released in the UK and Japan. Recently, the second CD called ‘The Shining Earth’ was released. Currently, Seiko performs at concerts in addition to teaching.

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2) Chisato Kusunoki (Piano)

16 March 2011, 1:10 to 2:00pm at St. James's Church

Chisato Kusunoki’s performances are highly regarded for their lyrical intensity and subtle virtuosity. She draws inspiration from all the composers she has studied from Bach to the present day. Her performances are informed by an understanding of and affinity with such important composer pianists as Rachmaninoff, Godowsky and Medtner. The Times remarked on her wonderfully fleet and supple fingers, quick to locate the music’s inner voices, able to dapple and perfume…she’ll be heard from; she’s got it.’

Her repertoire is extensive and ranges from the earliest keyboard masters to contemporary composers. She has an abiding love of the classics yet she also enjoys exploring less known works particularly by composers of the late romantic period. She has made a special study of the music of Nikolai Medtner, on whose music she worked closely with Hamish Milne. Chisato is committed to contemporary music and has worked with several leading composers. Her performance of Justin Connolly’s ‘Sonatina in Five Etudes’ was hailed by the composer. She has a particular affinity for the music of Ronald Stevenson and has prepared several works under the guidance of the composer. Stevenson has recently dedicated his ‘Nine Haiku’ to Chisato. The composer David Hackbridge Johnson has dedicated several works to the pianist too. She will be recording works by Rachmaninoff, Medtner, Scriabin and Liapunov later this year for Quartz Music label.