Rika Zayasu

Japanese pianist Rika Zayasu was born in Tokyo in 1972. She was trained at the Conservatoire de Boulogne-Billancourt (1st prize with jury's unanimity), Guildhall School of Music and Drama (MMus) and University of York (MPhil) while also receiving private tuitions by Denis Pascal, Michel Béroff and Maria Curcio, the legendary pupil of Artur Schnabel.
Enthusiastic about new music, she gave several world premieres in the UK and abroad. Following the completion of her thesis on the music of Tōru Takemitsu, she gave the world premiere of her piano transcription of Takemitsu's Requiem for string orchestra at St Martin-in-the-fields to critical acclaim. Her new album featuring piano works by Debussy and Takemitsu will be released on Claudio Records in 2012.

Rika Zayasu performs as a recitalist and chamber musician and recent appearances include London, Paris, and Tokyo. During the 2012/13 season, she will make several appearances in the UK, at the venues including St John's Smith Square in London, West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge, and Sir Jack Lyon's Concert Hall in York.

She currently lives in London with her husband and a Welsh springer spaniel.