Miyako | Pianist
Miyako is a 12 year old pianist who began playing the piano for fun and listening to recordings of famous pianists with her grandmother at a young age. Through those early moments, she discovered a deep passion for classical music. Recognizing her potential and desire to grow, she auditioned to become a student of Steinway Artist and Steinway Hall of Fame teacher Dr. Yelena Balabanova, with whom she has studied since the age of seven and she began competing in local and international piano competitions..
In May 2025 Miyako had her orchestra debut as a soloist performing Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major under the baton of Maestro Michael Wheatley with the Philharmonia Northwest Orchestra, as the youngest ever winner and concert soloist in the 55-year history of the prestigious Seattle Young Artist Music Festival, widely regarded as the most challenging music competition in Washington State.
Recently, she became a winner of SCMTA Concerto Competition(2026), the Best of Festival award from the 2026 EMTA Time Era Festival(2024, 2025, 2026), Grand Prix winner in the 2026 International German Music Piano Competition, and Grand Prix winner in the 2026 International French Music Piano Competition, Prize winner in the 2026 Henle Piano Competition, First Prize Winner(duet) and Second Prize winner(solo) in the 2026 Chicago International Music Competition, First Prize at the 2025 International Mozart Competition Vienna, Absolute Award(duet) and Gold Award(concerto) in the 2025 WPTA Finland International Piano Competition
Miyako performed at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Town Hall Seattle, Meydenbauer Center, Uusi Paviljonki in Finland, and Ganz Hall in Chicago.
In July 2026, Miyako received a scholarship in the Chicago International Music Festival where she performed in masterclasses with distinguished professors including Dr. Steven Spooner, Dr. Boris Slutsky and Dr. James Giles.
She has also received First Class Honors with Distinction in both Music History and Theory through the Royal Conservatory of Music.