Yoko Nishi (koto) started learning koto at the age of four and formally studied koto under the modernist performer-composers Tadao Sawai and Kazue Sawai. In 1980, Ms. Nishi won a prize at the Sankyoku competition at the age of sixteen. After graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts, she performed in front of the Japanese Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace as a representative from the University at an event organized by the Imperial Household Agency. Her repertory ranges from traditional pieces to contemporary works by John Cage and Yuji Takahashi, collaborations and improvisations with Western instruments, DJs, poets, and artists. She has also become one of the lead performers of ancient musical instruments at the National Theatre, Tokyo. She has performed for several international festivals and venues.  Miss Nishi has been a visiting professor of Kansai University (2008-2011) and is currently artist-in-residence at Columbia University (2010-2012). She debuts with Yasuka Nambu (flute) in the launching of the NINA Duo at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in December 2011.

Yasuka Nambu (flute) moved to the U.S. at the age of nine. After graduating from the Juilliard Pre-College, she received her Bachelor of Music degree summa cum laude in only two years at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) on Baur Scholarship. She went on to receive her Master of Music degree, also at CCM on full scholarship, in orchestral conducting. She then went back to her flute studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover, Germany, where she studied with Prof. Erdmuthe Boehr to receive her performing arts diploma with the highest mark. Since returning to Japan five years ago, Miss Nambu has quickly established herself as one of the leading flutists in Japan. She is a Visiting Associate Professor of Ashiya University and an artist-in-residence at Columbia University.

The artists debut in the launch of the NINA Duo at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in December 2011.

For ticketing information, please visit http://www.carnegiehall.org/Event.aspx?id=4294980596