Pianist Akiko Yamazaki has performed extensively as soloist and chamber musician in venues including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. She has appeared as a soloist with Raleigh Symphony Orchestra and UNCG Symphony Orchestra. She was awarded the IMTF Grant by NCMTA to study and perform music of Clara Schumann and Toru Takemitsu. As a chamber musician, she has given recitals across the United States with prominent artists including clarinetists Donald Oehler, Edwin Riley, Nicholas Morrison, Andrea Splittberger-Rosen, violinists Kate Carter, Katharina Uhde, Leah Peroutka, and soprano Suzanne Post. She gave the world premiere of Matthew Orlovich’s Dawn Rhapsody with violinist Karen Galvin, Assistant Concertmaster of the North Carolina Symphony. 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 holds a doctor of music degree in piano performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied piano with John Salmon and harpsichord with Andrew Willis. Her study was generously supported by Excellence Fellowship. She holds a master of music degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Northwestern University where she studied under the tutelage of James Giles. She holds a bachelor of music degree in piano performance with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her principal teacher was Mayron Tsong. She has participated in notable festivals, including Piano Summer at New Paltz, Kamisaibara Piano Festival, Schlern International Music Festival and Beijing International Music Festival. She has worked with renowned artists such as Peter Serkin and Vladimir Feltsman.

Dr. Yamazaki is dedicated to nurturing and mentoring young talents. Since she opened her studio in 2009, her students have won many prizes at local, regional and international competitions, including Golden Key Music Festival, UNCSA Classical Sonata Competition, Constance Kotis Piano Festival & Competition, NCMTA Contest-Festival, CHMTA Music Festival, DMTA Music Festival, Dr. Sharyn Edwards Piano Festival & Competition and Omega Talent Hunt. Her students have performed in numerous honors recitals at various venues including Carnegie Hall. Dr. Yamazaki was the 2009 recipient of the MTNA STAR award, awarded for her excellence in teaching and leadership. She is active as a presenter, master class clinician and adjudicator.

She regularly engages in community service and outreach as a pianist and teacher. She has organized benefit concerts for A Helping Hand , UNC Children’s Hospital and TABLE. Her performances and teaching have supported Upbeat, The People’s Music School and International Children’s Center in Chicago and Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. Her students regularly share their talents in the community.

She is a past president of Chapel Hill Music Teachers Association, and she has served on the board of North Carolina Music Teachers Association. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honorary Society.