Kanami Araki

Kanami Araki graduated Tokyo University of the Arts at the top of her class and then completed a master's at the same university. During her studies in 2015, she passed an audition at 21 years old for the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and played as their principal until March 2023. She is currently the principal oboist for the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra. She has won numerous prizes in competitions in Japan, and at the 11th International Oboe Competition in Karuizawa, she was the first Japanese player, and the first Asian player in history, to win the first prize (known as the Ohga Prize), as well as the audience's choice award. Araki was awarded the 27th Idemitsu Music Award. As a soloist, she has performed with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. She is engaged in a variety of fields, and since her debut at the Tokyo Spring Music Festival she has taken part in Opera City (Bach to Contemporary) and other music festivals, performed contemporary music (including public premieres of new works), as well as recording soundtrack music for movies and dramas such as "Demon Slayer."

She has performed with many oboe masters, and was discovered by Heinz Holliger to perform with his oboe trio on tour in Japan, as well as performing with both Maurice Bourgue, and Schellenberger. Her media appearances include “Untitled Concert” and “Enter the Music.” She is a core member of the up-and-coming ensemble group "Ensemble FOVE" and the "Japan National Orchestra,” which is led by Kyohei Sorita. She hails from Ibaraki Prefecture, and is a researcher (PR ambassador) at the TOKAI VIL.Love LAB.