Miho Hazama

Biography:
Originally from Tokyo, Japan, New York-based jazz composer Miho Hazama began playing piano and electric organ at age 5 and started studying classical composition at age 13. In 2009, Ms. Hazama graduated from Kunitachi College of Music with a bachelor's degree in Classical Composition. During her college life, she received a lot of financial awards such as a Meiji-Yasuda Quality of Life Scholarship and a Scholarship for Overseas Study from Kunitachi College of Music. In addition, she won many prizes in the Yamano Big Band Competition not only as a big band pianist but also as a composer. With private instruction in jazz composition from Jim McNeely and piano from Phil Markowitz, Ms. Hazama completed her master's degree at the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) in Jazz Composition in 2012. In addition to receiving a scholarship from MSM, she was involved with the Scholarship Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists from the Japanese agency for cultural affairs. A winner of the 2011 ASCAP Foundation Young Jazz Composer Award, Ms. Hazama participated in the Metropole Orkest Arranger’s Workshop in the Netherlands where her arrangements were conducted by Vince Mendoza and performed by the Metropole Orkest. Since 2007, Ms. Hazama has worked with Yosuke Yamashita, Vince Mendoza, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Shiro Sagisu as well as TV-Asahi "Untitled Concert," the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic, Siena Wind Orchestra, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, Yamaha Symphonic Band and the Metropole Orkest. Her arrangements have been performed not only in the US but also in Japan, Poland, England, France and the Netherlands.
from www.jamrice.co.jp