2nd Para International Music Competition Judge
Ai Onouchi
Ai Onouchi
Born in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture. Lives and works in Higashihiroshima City. Associate professor at Hiroshima University Graduate School.
Member of the Executive Committee of Aki Classic Concert. Part-time lecturer at Elizabeth University of Music.
She won the 2nd Prize at the 10th Sakura Pia Newcomer Competition, the Excellence Prize (2nd Prize) at the 14th KOBE International Student Music Competition, and others.
She has performed with the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra in the “12th Hiroshima Orchestra Series,” a project commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs to nurture up-and-coming performers.
In opera, she appeared in Lauretta in “Gianni Schicchi,” Dorabella in “Cosi fan tutte,” Flora in “La Traviata,” Hansel and Gretel in “Hansel and Gretel,” Dahme II in “The Magic Flute,” and Secretary in “The Consul,” among others.
She gave a recital in 2014 and has appeared as soloist in various concerts, including the Ninth and Bach cantatas.
Currently, under the theme of “inclusive music education,” she is conducting research by visiting Kyoai Gakuen in Japan and a junior high school in Italy, where full inclusive education is being realized overseas.
She received the Hiroshima Cultural Newcomer Award in 2020.
Graduated from Hiroshima University, Faculty of Education, Music and Culture Course, and completed the first half of the doctoral program in the Graduate School of Education, Hiroshima University, and received a doctorate (pedagogy) after leaving the doctoral program. Studied under Kazuya Edagawa, Makoto Okuda, and Kimiko Ichimura.
She won the 2nd Prize at the 10th Sakura Pia Newcomer Competition, the Excellence Prize (2nd Prize) at the 14th KOBE International Student Music Competition, and others.
She has performed with the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra in the “12th Hiroshima Orchestra Series,” a project commissioned by the Agency for Cultural Affairs to nurture up-and-coming performers.
In opera, she appeared in Lauretta in “Gianni Schicchi,” Dorabella in “Cosi fan tutte,” Flora in “La Traviata,” Hansel and Gretel in “Hansel and Gretel,” Dahme II in “The Magic Flute,” and Secretary in “The Consul,” among others.
She gave a recital in 2014 and has appeared as soloist in various concerts, including the Ninth and Bach cantatas.
Currently, under the theme of “inclusive music education,” she is conducting research by visiting Kyoai Gakuen in Japan and a junior high school in Italy, where full inclusive education is being realized overseas.
She received the Hiroshima Cultural Newcomer Award in 2020.
| How do you see the significance of the competition?
Just as music competitions have divisions for elementary school students, junior high school students, and so on, we feel that this competition is not a special division for people with disabilities.
In this context, we believe that this competition exists as one of the goals of those who study music.
As a performer, performing in front of an audience gives you a different feeling than usual, and of course there is tension, but you may also feel a sense of elation that you cannot experience in other situations.
I believe that the participants will grow a great deal by experiencing such unusual sensations.
| What kind of music appeals to you?
We are attracted to performances that show that you love and enjoy the music and your own playing.
It does not matter what the motivation is, whether it is to enjoy the music itself, to have one’s existence recognized, or to please loved ones close to one’s heart, the way one works hard and faces the music gives us empathy.
| What are the key points of the screening process?
We want to see that you are able to listen carefully to the sound you are playing and interact with it.
We also place importance on whether or not you understand your own charm and the characteristics of the piece you are performing, and whether or not you are able to express this in your performance.
| Please give a shout out to those who are considering participating in the Para International Music Competition!
When it comes to competitions, we tend to worry about the evaluations, but I hope that you will consider this as a step toward opening up a new path for yourself.
The opportunity to perform in front of a large audience in a large hall is truly precious, and I think it will be a good chance to look at yourself.
Please let us hear your favorite music.
If you have any questions about the competition, please contact us at the e-mail address below.
info@para-artist.org
If you have any questions about the competition, please contact us at the e-mail address below.
info@para-artist.org
Head office Myokoji, Tokinoshima, Ichinomiya, Aichi, Japan
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