Pianist Naoko Garrison has captivated audiences for years with her musical sensitivity and character. Active as a soloist and collaborative pianist, Naoko frequently appears in numerous recitals throughout the nation and abroad.

A native of Japan, Naoko started her piano study at age three. She received her Bachelor of Education degree with emphasis on Piano Performance from Ehime University in Japan studying with Shin Moriyama and continued her studies under world-renowned pianist Robert Hamilton at Arizona State University where she was a scholarship recipient and received a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance. She has also received additional coaching from Dmitri Alexeev, Vladimir Feltsman, Phillip Kawin, Alexander Korsantia, Avo Kouyoumdjian, Milan Langer, Lev Natochenny, Emile Naoumoff, Paul Ostrovsky, John Owings, Caio Pagano, Andrey Ponochevny, Henry Rose, Robert Roux, Alexander Slobodyanik, Susan Starr, Tamas Ungar and Arie Vardi. She has participated in master classes and performed in PianoSummer at New Paltz in New Paltz, NY for two summers, International Summer Piano Courses of the Prague Conservatoire in Prague, Czech Republic where she was chosen as one of the outstanding participants, and most recently Oh My Ears New Music Festival in Phoenix, AZ. and PianoTexas International Festival & Academy in Fort Worth, TX

In addition to a classical repertoire, Naoko has maintained a keen interest in the Brazilian composer Mozart Camargo Guarnieri and his work. She has a sincere desire to cultivate Guarnieri’s art, and to extend awareness of his unique contribution.

Also an active music educator, Naoko currently resides in Phoenix, AZ where she serves on the piano faculty at Xavier College Preparatory and Rio Salado College.

Naoko Garrison © 2014-2023 All rights reserved | Photos by Shintaro Yano