Ritsuko Okuma：Marimba ＆ Percussion

Studied under Ms. Keiko Abe, a global marimbist, and Mr. Kyoichi Sano, the former Vice Principal percussionist of Deutsche Oper Berlin, at percussion instrument course of Toho Gakuen College Music Department.

2001	Semi-finalist for International Marimba Competition (Belgium).
2002	Graduated from the college and played for the graduation concert by honors students. Finalist of the World Marimba Competition 2002 (Germany).
2004	Completed her graduate course at the college. Selected as the Excellent Soloist Prize sponsored by All Japan Players Association, And won many prizes for the other competitions. In June, won at the International Marimba Concerto Competition held in Slovenia.
2006	Completed Orchestra Academy Training Course. In spring, solo recital debut at Ginza Yamaha Salon. And held solo concerts in various places, mainly Tokyo.

Currently, she performs mainly as a soloist and also widely acts in chamber music scenes, percussion ensembles, orchestras, new premieres, film music and other recordings. Also teaches young students at her alma mater as a music department lecturer. Also elected to one of the music activation business artists of Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities, striving to the spread of the marimba through consolations of nursing home, special lessons for kindergartens and elementary schools and recitals in the concert halls.

< Performance History >

- World Marimba Festival (Belgium ’06 and Germany ’12) as invited player.
- Played with the Guatemala Presidential marimba band traveled to Central and South America playing tour.
- Playing with Slovenian Radio Symphony (Simfonični orkester RTV Slovenija) as soloist and had a recording with concert.
- Performed throughout America, Europe, Latin America, such as at New York Carnegie Hall, Polish Chopin Academy of Music, Hungary Bartók Hall etc.

Recent released CDs, “Full Speed Woman” (2009) and “Gold’n Bear” (2011), are praised from all quarters. She is now one of the up-and-coming musicians.