Pianist and Teacher

AKIKO YAMAZAKI is a pianist based in Japan and USA.

Highlights of her recent engagements include solo and chamber music performances at Carnegie Hall, North Carolina Museum of Art and Music for a Great Space concert series. As a soloist, she appeared with Raleigh Symphony Orchestra and UNCG Symphony Orchestra. She gave the world premiere of Matthew Orlovich’s Dawn Rhapsody with violinist Karen Galvin. She regularly engages in community outreach.

She holds graduate degrees (DMA, MM) from music schools in the US such as Northwestern University Bienen School of Music. She won the Raleigh Symphony Concerto Competition, UNCG School of Music Concerto Competition, 1st Prize at the American Protege International Competition, and 2nd Prize at Duxbury Music Festival Ensemble Competition.

Get in Touch
English-speaking Japanese bilingual piano teacher from Yokohama smiling in front of a grand piano with her piano students at a piano recital in Raleigh North Carolina USA

Classical Piano Lessons in English/Japanese

Dr. Yamazaki maintains an international piano studio online and in person (Yokohama/Tokyo/Yokosuka, Japan), combining the most effective Japanese and American pedagogical methods for serious study. She has over 20 years of experience teaching adults and kids from beginner to advanced. She believes the best piano lessons are taught with joy and love.

Dr. Yamazaki has been on the piano faculty at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC International Chamber Music Workshop, and UNCG Summer Music Camp. She is active as a presenter, master class clinician and adjudicator.

Schedule a Lesson

Learn to Perform with Confidence

In our private piano lessons, we focus on developing effortless technique, individual artistry, and comprehensive musicianship to play and perform confidently at any age and level. I offer practical tips for performance anxiety and injury prevention to empower students as performing pianists.

English-speaking piano teacher based in Yokohama Japan and North Carolina USAsmiling at a grand piano

A Global Piano Studio with an English-Speaking Teacher

Join our international piano studio with students from all over the world! You can take high quality piano classes in the comfort of your home. I offer online piano lessons and in-home piano lessons in Tokyo, Yokosuka, Yokohama, Japan.

Students Love the Joy of Making Music

  • "Working with Yamazaki San completely transformed my experience and approach. She is impossibly patient yet incredibly thorough, immediately spotting problem areas, unraveling years of bad habits, and teaching me how to actually practice. I highly recommend her to any adult student looking to truly enjoy the magic of music at the piano and the fulfilling journey along the way!"

    — KC

    Piano student from Chapel Hill North Carolina looking at the machanics of the piano hammer above a piano at a recital in Raleigh North Carolina

  • “Our daughter Siena has been with Akiko for over two years and her playing has flourished under her excellent instruction. Akiko clearly cares about our daughter’s development not only as a pianist but a musician. She is patient, thoughtful in her approach and gives great feedback. Siena has really enjoyed Akiko‘s style of instruction and values the time that Akiko spends with her during the lessons. We would highly recommend anybody to get lessons from Akiko!”

    — Jason G.

    Online piano student from Wilmington North Carolina in a suit smiling in front of a grand piano in his home

  • レッスンでは一人ひとりの性格やレベルに合わせて教えてくださり、「どうすればもっと音がきれいに響くか」「どう弾けば気持ちが伝わるか」を具体的に示してくださいます。先生の演奏を初めて聴いたとき、ピアノが歌っているように感じ、子どもたちも“音楽を表現する楽しさ”を学ばせていただいていると実感しました。

    — 中田様

    Sibling piano students from Japan smiling at a reception after a piano recital in Chapel Hill North Carolina

Students from Yamazaki Piano Studio have performed community outreach concerts at hospitals and senior centers and fundraised for non-profit organizations.

They have won many prizes and awards at festivals and competitions including MTNA Competition, Golden Key Music Festival, Federation of Music Clubs Festival, UNCSA Piano Weekend Competition, Constance Kotis Piano Festival & Competition, NCMTA Contest-Festival, CHMTA Music Festival, DMTA Festival, American Protege Music Competition, Dr. Sharyn Edwards Piano Festival & Competition and Omega Talent Hunt.

Some of the former students have pursued music in conservatories in the US such as The Juilliard School, Peabody Institute and Berklee College of Music.

Let’s Make Music Together!

To get connected for lessons and engagements, please fill out the form.