RIKA ZAYASU

"Zayasu's masterful performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major...left the concertgoers stunned by the explosion of sound. Grace and power was rewarded as the audience gave a standing ovation that brought her out no less than three times..."

                                                  - The Chieftain

Every musical experience is unique and personal. Music making as a life long exploration, my mission is to invite you, the keen listeners, for authentic self-discovery and transformational journey with me. Let's live the life of our dreams through the magical power of music.


Rika begins her 2025-2026 season with a performance on her own favourite Steinway piano D580585, the wonderful piano, of which she had a heartbeat's recognition at first playing at London's Steinway Hall, and acquired without hesitation. In a programme entitled "Fantasy" at Tudeley Festival of Chamber Music and Voice, the audience is invited for the extraordinary experience of the mighty and kaleidoscopic piano sounds and music.

She returns to her long- term interests in the music of Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu, and prepares for another performance of Takemitsu's concerti, including "riverrun" for piano and orchestra, and "Quotation of Dream" for two pianos and orchestra.

Following a highly acclaimed recording featuring the piano works by Debussy and Takemitsu released by Claudio Records (*****+ "An impressive record, with some of the finest piano tones on disc..." Musical Opinion), she continues to collaborate with Claudio with their state of art Q-LAB recording system. Current recording projects include, "Scriabin, 10 sonatas" and "Chopin, Schumann, and Debussy - Piano works".

Rika has always been a dedicated, passionate ambassador in promoting music and wellbeing through our everyday life, and she is a trained hypnotherapist.


Born in Tokyo to Okinawan aristocratic family in 1972 (the time when the US occupied Okinawa made its return to Japan). Rika Zayasu began her musical education at the age of 3 and started the piano at 5. Her unique talents are soon to be remarked by her teachers: “It seems that she’s got some special abilities to communicate with singing birds, as they join her playing at every lessons.“ “An amazing poise and the sense of responsibility to convey the important message at her performance…” “She plays Mozart like playing Schumann…”


Rika spent her formative years in Japan and France before settling in London in 1994. As a great admirer of, and enthusiastic about living-life (Anima), she consider herself as: a Japanese born European based musician, who wish to serve for well-being of any living relationships in LIFE. 


Rika is ever so grateful for the most prestigious educations that she has received.and continue to receive. The notable and most influential figures to include are (musical and extra-musical): Profs. Yoshiko Ogimi, Reiko Yomura, Aiko Noro, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Akemi Murakami, Yoko Kososhi, Kenji Watanabe, Tami and Ichiro Nodaira, Claude Helffer, Kiyoshi Takai, Toshihiko and Junko Furuta, Vladimir Perlemuter, Pierre Barvizet, Marielle et Alain Boissy, Gisèle de Soucille, Michel Béroff, Denis Pascal, Françoise Thinat, Paul Hamburger, Graham Johnson, Joan Havill, and Maria Curcio, who hailed that Rika had the “talent and physiques shared only by the greatest pianists I have ever known and taught.”  Great compliment, as she taught and mentored many of the now legendary pianists such as, Radu Lupu, Martha Algerich, or more recently Pierre-Laurent Aimard…


She is a holder of: 1er Prix à l’unanimité (CRR de Boulogne-Billancourt France), PGD (PACC, GSMD U.K.), MMus (AIS, GSMD U.K.), MPhil (Musicology, York U.K.) and completed: Cycle de Concertiste (École Normale de la musique, Paris) and submitted a PhD dissertation on the music of Toru Takemitsu at the University of York.


She has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in Europe and Japan including: Wigmore Hall (London), Barbican Centre (London), Salle Gaveau (Paris), Oji-Hall (Japan), and Takemitsu Memorial Hall (Tokyo). And wish to travel further to share and exchange the wealth of ideals and experiences across the globe.