"Mikako is a piano teacher and composer originally from Tokyo, Japan, with more than twenty-five years of teaching experience in both Japan and the United States. Coming from three generations of professional musicians, she grew up in an environment where music was part of daily life. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Composition from Tokyo Gakugei University and later completed her Master’s degree in Composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

In Japan, Mikako taught piano to students of various ages and abilities, developing individualized approaches that encouraged both musical understanding and creative expression. She also produced several successful music video projects and worked actively as a composer and audio engineer. After moving to the U.S., she continued composing works for concert performance and for media such as computer games and videos. Her published piano collections—Twelve Easy Pieces for the Piano, Children Dreaming for piano duet, and Blue Suite—reflect her focus on accessible yet imaginative music for students.

As a long-standing member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California since 2001 and a board member since 2019, Mikako is dedicated to nurturing musicianship in learners of all levels. She particularly enjoys guiding beginners, both young and adult, helping them build confidence, technical foundation, and a lifelong appreciation for music." less...