Nishii Yoko Pianist’s Lecture Presented by Liszt Academy

Yoko NISHII was born in Ise, Japan. After graduating from Keio University in Tokyo with a BA in French literature in 1998, she entered the “Ino Mirković” Music Academy situated in Lovran, Croatia as a special full scholarship student. She graduated from the 4-year academic program in just 2 years with excellent grades under Prof. Evgeny Zarafiants in 2000.

In July 2001 she earned “Master of Music Art” degree at the same academy and from 2001 to 2003 she worked as assistant in the piano class of Prof. Zarafiants. From 2005 to 2007 she did advanced study at the Zagreb Music Academy as the fellowship under the Japanese Government Overseas Program for Artists. She has won numerous awards at international competitions. From 2014 to 2019 she worked as a part-time lecturer at Aichi University of the Arts in Japan.

She has given numerous solo recitals in Japan, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. She is extensively involved in the research and dissemination of Croatian composers and music, as well as those from other neighboring countries. In February 2015 she released the world’s first CD (2 CDs) of the complete solo piano works by Croatian female composer Dora Pejačević, commemorating her 130th birth anniversary, under the Japanese CD label “Herb Classics”. In July 2020 she has released her second solo CD album, “Yoko Nishii plays Sergei Rachmaninov”. She was awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for FY 2023 for her contribution to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Croatia as well as the development of diplomatic relations between the two countries, through her activities in both countries over many years.