Piano Duo Yamamoto

 

The Japanese sisters Yuka and Ayaka Yamamoto have been performing together as a piano duo since 2009. Since taking first prize in 2013 at the 12th Dranoff International 2 Piano Competition in Miami, Florida—perhaps the world’s most prestigious two-piano competition—the Duo Yamamoto began their international concert activity, appearing at Musikverein in Vienna, the Berliner Philharmonie, Steinway Hall in New York and New World Center in Miami. In 2014, Yuka and Ayaka completed a successful two-week concert tour through South America.

 

The sisters have won numerous other prizes in national and international competitions. Within the first year of founding the duo, the Yamamotos took first prize and a special prize at the PTNA Piano Competition and the Grand Prize at the 3rd Yokohama International Music Competition. In 2010, they received first place and the Critic’s Award at the 13th Concorso Internazionale “Pietro Argento” in Italy as well as the Grand Prize at the 16th International Piano Duo Competition in Japan. In 2011, they received a special honorable mention at the Liszt 200 International Piano Duo Competition in Chicago. In 2013, Duo Yamamoto was awarded the coveted music prize of the Bruno-Frey-Stiftung in Germany.

 

Their orchestral work has included performances with the Norddeutscher Philharmonic Orchestra in Rostock.

 

The sisters were born in Hiroshima and raised in Yokohama, Japan.

Yuka began piano at the age of four and Ayaka at the age of five. Yuka received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano solo performance at Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna with Professor Thomas Kreuzberger. Ayaka attended the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where she received her bachelor’s degree in piano solo performance under the tutelage of Professor Martin Hughes.  

 

Yuka and Ayaka successfully completed their master’s degrees and concert exam studies at the University of Music and Theatre in Rostock, Germany with professors Hans-Peter Stenzl and Volker Stenzl.

 

The sisters are currently living in Germany, where they give lessons both privately and at music school.

 

 

(2017.06)