XVI Chopin International Piano Competition
Hartford, CT

Pianist, Toshiki Usui performs worldwide at the highest level, garnering high acclaim not only for his performances, but for his multiple musical activities supporting goodwill initiatives. With a strong interest in building international relations, he travels worldwide and connects through his role as general manager for the Yokohama Sinfonietta and Visiting Professor of Music at the Ueno Gakuen University. His travels have taken him as far as the Antarctic.

After graduating from the High School of Tokyo University of Fine Arts, Mr. Usui continued his studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. He is a winner of the Cantu International Piano Competition in Italy, special prizewinner of the Viotti International Music Competition, and recipient of the Donemus Performance Prize at Holland Music Sessions for the best performance of a contemporary work. He has also received a special award for performance of contemporary music from the Viennese contemporary art society, Tamamu. He has presented charity concerts unde the aegis of the U.N.for the Palestinian Refugee Camps.

His ability to effect cultural exchange, through connecting people with the communicative power of music, along with his prodigious pianistic abilities, has made him one of the strongest voices of his generation. In recognition for his work, he was recently awarded the prestigious Foreign Ministry Award from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for “Promoting, through music, mutual understanding between Japan and Algeria.”

Mr. Usui is currently general manager of the Yokohama Sinfonietta, Chairman of the Japan-Hong Kong Musicians Alliance (Hong Kong), and Visiting Professor at the Ueno Gakuen University.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE toshikiusui.com