Biography

Satomi Chihara, the last student of Professor Willem Brons, graduated at the top of her class and earned a Bachelor's degree in classical piano from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in 2018. For her final recital, she was honored with the special talent scholarship from the Jacques Vonk Fund, which is dedicated to exceptional graduates. In 2020, she completed her Master's degree under the guidance of Professor Naum Grubert at the Conservatorium of Amsterdam.

In 2022, Satomi Chihara achieved the third prize and the Bärenreiter Praha prize at the 58th Beethoven’s Hradec International Competition for her performance of Beethoven’s fifth piano concerto, "Emperor," with the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra. The chair of the jury described her performance as “very concentrated and demonic.”

In addition to her achievements in Japan, Satomi's talent was recognized in the Netherlands during her studies. She received prizes from the Young Pianists Foundation in 2015 and the Princess Christina Competition in 2016. Throughout and after her studies, she graced the stages of numerous concerts across the Netherlands, including a solo concert at the Concertgebouw Kleine Zaal in 2022. She was also invited to participate in the International Holland Music Sessions in 2017 and the Naarden International Piano Festival in 2021. Since 2018, she has been an active participant in Professor Willem Brons' esteemed International Masterclass in Amsterdam