Kitagaki, Aya

Profile
Last updated:April 1, 2024
Profile
Born in Osaka Prefecture, began playing the cello at age 4.
Graduated from the Instrumental Department of Tokyo University of the Arts, after studying at the Music Department of Osaka Prefectural Yuhigaoka High School. Studied abroad in Leipzig as a Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs Overseas Study Program for Upcoming Artists fellow in Reiwa 1 (2019), graduating with top honors from the Master's program at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre Leipzig in 2020. After returning to Japan, completed the Master's program at the Graduate School of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts.
Received numerous awards, including 3rd prize at the 69th All Japan Student Music Competition (University Division), 1st prize and Shin-ichiro Ikebe Special Award at the 24th Himeji Parnassus Competition, 1st prize at the 1st Popper Cello Competition, Encouragement Award (1st prize) and Audience Award at the 9th NPO Association for Fostering Young Artistic and Cultural Talent, and a Silver Prize at the 12th Izumi-no-Mori Junior Cello Competition (High School Division). She is a 4th-term fellow of the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Academy.
Participated in the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Opera Project, Saito Kinen Festival, Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, Risonare Chamber Music Seminar, Akiyoshidai Music Academy, Atorion International Chamber Music Academy, among others. Performed at numerous music festivals, including Suntory Chamber Music Garden, Kirishima International Music Festival, and Ishikawa-Kanazawa Wind and Green Music Festival. Appeared in series such as Geidai Chamber Music Regular Concerts, the 2nd (Schubert) and 3rd (Bach) Shin-ichiro Ikebe Artistic Director Series "Let's Peek into Music," Parnassus Morning Harmony, and the 49th New Artist Development Project Recital Series Osaka (Izumi Hall, Sumitomo Life) organized by the Japan Federation of Musicians. Performed in concerts not only in Japan but also in Singapore (Victoria Concert Hall) and Germany (Gewandhaus Leipzig), among other locations.
While performing as a guest musician with major orchestras in Japan, she also dedicates efforts to instructing younger generations.
She is a former contract member of the New Japan Philharmonic.
She has studied under the late Minoru Sugiyama, Yutaka Hayashi, the late Nobuyuki Ando, Nobuko Yamazaki, Kenji Nakagi, Peter Hörr, Veronika Wilhelm, and Christian Giger.