Ooi, Takeshi

Profile
Last updated:August 26, 2021
Profile
In April 2024, he was appointed Principal Conductor of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra.
He began studying conducting under Yoko Matsuo at the age of 17. After graduating from the Conducting Department of Tokyo University of the Arts, he completed the Master's program in Conducting at the same university. He received guidance from Hiroshi Wakasugi and Hiroyuki Iwaki. In 1996, he was awarded the Ataka Prize. He received instruction from Levine, Masur, Gelmetti, and Kalapchevsky at summer masterclasses in various locations in Switzerland and Italy.
He trained with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra from 2007 to 2009. In 2008, he won second prize at the Antonio Pedrotti International Conducting Competition. While still a student, he served as assistant conductor for opera productions at organizations such as Nikikai Opera Foundation and New National Theatre, Tokyo, making his debut in 2002 by conducting Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande. Since then, he has conducted numerous stage performances, including not only operas but also ballets, musicals, and collaborations with Japanese traditional dance.
He has served as:
- Associate Conductor of the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra (2000–2001)
- Principal Conductor of the New Philharmony Orchestra Chiba (now Chiba Symphony Orchestra) (2009–2016)
- Conductor of the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra (2009–2013)
- Principal Conductor of the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra (2013–2017)
- Principal Conductor of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (2014–2024)
He has also conducted major orchestras throughout Japan.
His repertoire is extremely broad, encompassing all genres of music, from standard orchestral and wind ensemble works to premieres of contemporary music, game music, film scores, and pop music. He is passionate about making music accessible to a wider audience through concerts with talks and concerts for children.
He is a Part-time Lecturer (Wind Ensemble) at the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts, and a Visiting Professor at Shobi College of Music.
(As of April 2024)