Akiko Sanai
Akiko Sanai is a distinguished pianist, teacher, and musical artist, with many years of experience teaching piano in Hawaii. She has resided in Honolulu, Hawaii more than 20 years, where she maintains a thriving piano studio. Akiko teaches piano to all ages and levels. Born in Hiroshima, Japan, Akiko began her piano studies at age 6. She is fluent in English and Japanese. Her principle studies were with noted recitalist and Alfred Brendel pupil Paul Lyddon, Professor of Piano (retired) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Akiko Sanai’s earliest performances were in Iwakuni, Japan. Most recently, she performed Mozart piano concerti in Orvis Auditorium at the University of Hawaii (piano concerto no. 20 in D minor, K. 466), and at the Ferstel Palace in Vienna, Austria (piano concerto no. 23 in A major, K. 488). Akiko's students have won prizes in international piano competitions. In 2018 and 2019, Akiko had the pleasure of traveling with her winning students for performances at New York's Weil Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and at the Parco della Musica in Rome, Italy. Her students have the opportunity to perform twice a year at UH’s Orvis Auditorium where her studio recitals are given. These events also feature performances by Akiko.
Excellent Steinway, Bösendorfer, and Yamaha grand pianos!
In Akiko's welcoming studio, you will find excellent Steinway, Bösendorfer, and Yamaha grand pianos, affording each student experience with genuinely inspiring piano tone and action in their lessons. Presently, Akiko’s youngest student is 4 years old, and her oldest is 75. Levels vary from complete beginner to advanced students preparing for music school auditions or piano competitions. She selects repertoire and study programs from Faber Piano Adventures, Bastien, and standard repertoire works of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Rachmaninov, and many others. With Akiko’s assistance, students can choose to participate in the Royal Conservatory of Music development program, taking RCM performance and theory exams. The musical and personal growth of each student is uppermost to Akiko Sanai. She strives to encourage and guide each student, and builds on their strengths and unique experience while introducing new challenges. Thanks go to composer Dr. James H. Carr for his assistance with this profile.