Leadership, Resilience, and Music: The Remarkable Journey of Pianist Utako Tanigawa
- WOMCO
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Utako Tanigawa’s Piano Performance was awarded the First Prize and the Expressive Performance Special Prize in the Professional (No Age Limit) Category of the 2025 Season 3 UK International Music Competition.
Could you share your journey as a pianist, including your musical training and the key experiences that have been important in your career?
Utako Tanigawa began piano studies in Japan at the age of three for ten years.
About fifteen years ago, a life-threatening illness rekindled her connection to music, with the piano becoming both a source of healing and solace. As a part of recovery, she began participating in international amateur competitions such as the Van Cliburn, Frederic Chopin (Poland), Piano Bridges (Russia), and PianoLink (Italy).
In 2015, she founded the Georgia Musicale Group (GMG), which now unites over 100 professional and amateur musicians of diverse backgrounds.
At the age of 71, Dr. Tanigawa was deeply honored and humbled with both the First Prize and the Expressive Performance Special Prize in the Professional Category of the UK International Music Competition.
How does your personal artistic voice influence your interpretation?
Mendelssohn’s Rondo Capriccioso carries deep personal meaning, as it was one of my mother’s favorites; I play it with gratitude for her love and support. Chopin’s Scherzo No. 2 resonates with my own life reflections—its drama and sensitivity inspire a deeply emotional interpretation.
What do you believe is most important for a pianist?
I believe sincerity to my own soul is the most important quality in performance. At this stage, I choose works that move me profoundly, so I can share that authenticity with listeners. Through nearly sixty concerts a year with Georgia Musicale Group, I’ve come to value deep communication above all.
Would you like to share your experience and anyone you'd like to thank?
I am deeply grateful to my husband for his constant encouragement and presence, and to my teacher, Dr. Joe Chapman, whose insight and guidance continue to enrich my musical journey. Participating in this UK International Music competition has been a rewarding and inspiring experience.
Biography
Utako Tanigawa, born in Japan, began studying piano at the age of three but quit after ten years. At the age of thirty-two, she decided to take a one-year break from her businesses—owning a private school and a restaurant—to explore a new culture in the United States. That year, however, became the beginning of a longer journey. Supported by several scholarships, she remained in the U.S. and went on to earn multiple degrees, including Mathematics, Computer Science, and Software Engineering, followed by a Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems and postdoctoral study in Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University.
Since then, Dr. Tanigawa has served in leadership positions at global corporations for more than three decades, including at a Fortune 1 company. Her responsibilities spanned enterprise architecture, international business, and information security. She particularly valued working with diverse teams across multiple countries. In addition, she was a visiting lecturer at universities such as Stanford, Boston University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Colorado.
About fifteen years ago, her life took a dramatic turn due to a life-threatening illness. Although it caused lasting physical damage, it rekindled her love of music after a 45-year hiatus, providing a tangible lifeline during recovery. Today, music continues to play an essential soothing and healing role in her life.
As part of her recovery and to challenge herself, she participated in numerous international amateur piano competitions, including the Van Cliburn, the Chopin Competition in Poland, Piano Bridges in Russia, and PianoLink in Italy, where she was honored with awards and distinctions.
Inspired by these experiences, Dr. Tanigawa founded a non-profit organization for people who share a passion for music—whether they pursued careers outside the arts or are professional musicians seeking more performance opportunities. Now, a decade later, the organization has grown to include more than 100 performers worldwide, spanning pianists, instrumentalists, and vocalists.