Bio

Makoto Kessoku is a Japanese pianist and educator with an international career as both soloist and collaborative artist. She graduated from the Department of Virtuoso Piano at Musashino Academia Musicae and completed the Virtuoso Course at its School for her master’s degree. She further pursued her studies at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where she earned her degree.

As a soloist, she performed Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Tokyo International Arts Festival Orchestra in January 2025, and gave a solo recital in 2017 commemorating the release of her original CD, featuring works by Ravel and Chopin. She has also been engaged as an event pianist, providing elegant live music for hotels, bars, and private events since 2018.

An active collaborative pianist, Makoto has partnered with numerous vocalists and instrumentalists across Japan and the U.S., regularly accompanying degree recitals, masterclasses, auditions, and competitions. Her extensive experience has developed her versatility, strong sight-reading skills, and sensitivity to diverse musical styles.

She currently teaches piano while also serving as a homeroom teacher at a private elementary school.

Teaching Info