About Mio

Mio the musician

I started playing the piano and learnt to read music from a very early age; my first public recital was at the age of three in my Town Hall. I have been classically trained at the prestigious Yamaha Music Academy in Japan. I studied at the State University of New York for a B.A. (Dean’s Honor for outstanding achievement) in Performing Arts and Science that included my choices of jazz piano, music history, music theory and music harmony theory. I then moved to London to attend St Martins in London U.K. for a Diploma in Graphic Art. 

In 1998 in Japan I was introduced to the Koto Harp and still play this instrument to this day. I began playing lever harp in 2000 and a deep passion to master the harp unfolded and I sought instruction. The love for the beauty and grace of the harp is one of the reasons I actually settled in Scotland.

I became a professional harpist (pedal and lever) in Scotland in 2003 and became a professional pianist in 2013 having played piano since childhood and built my solo career from then until now. I studied under the acclaimed harpists Iain Hood, Park Stickney, Savourna Stevenson, Isobel Mieras MBE, and Alina Bzhezhinska. I attracted my first Harpist in Residence in Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel in 2009 and then moved to be Harpist and Pianist in Residence at Edinburgh’s Waldorf Astoria Caledonian Hotel in 2013. I also became a Harpist in Residence at The Royal Yacht Britannia in 2009 and later in 2013 I also became a Solo Pianist in Residence; both residences are ongoing and await the return of live music. I have had numerous online comments/feedback (see appendix 1) to the Waldorf Astoria Caledonian Hotel and The Royal Yacht Britannia which will be seen on my new website.

In 2007 I recorded my debut 11 track album of my own compositions of harp music: ‘Music in the Air – Heart Fragrance’. My second recorded album ‘Calling the Muse’ is 15 tracks and is a mixture of my own compositions and arrangements.

Most recently I have had a number of online harp performances with my storytelling which included performances to 21 primary school classes (615 children and 21 teachers). Furthermore, I did storytelling sessions with the harp for the musicians and community of the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra and the Japanese English Teachers Association Alumni (JETAA). In January this year I learnt six pieces of Robert Burns music to play live during filming of ‘Supper with Robert Burns’ at the Scottish Story Telling Center (online on 25th Jan). 

Mio the Urasenke Japanese Tea Master & international Storytelling

Mio loves to tell stories that celebrate the wonder, mystery, wisdom and magic of the natural world in all its many colours, enriching the tales with her clarsach playing.

Her ever expanding repertoire contains many traditional Japanese Folktales, humorously conveying a Zen philosophy, which as a teacher and Master of the Japanese Tea Ceremony she embodies in her own life. Her stories inspire reflection, transformation, tranquility, peace and respect and gratitude for all of creation.

Mio believes that once upon a time the oral tradition of storytelling was the strengthening bond of the community and sees it as a seed of life. As a poet and artist, Mio loves to enthusiastically share story creation games with her audiences. She performs wearing a traditional Japanese Kimono from her large collection which adds to her charismatic and authentic eastern presence.

Mio grew up in the Japanese Alps where the crescent moon bear, tortoise, salamanders, eagles, fireflies, and 100 species of dragonflies and butterflies still dwell – there’s even a nine-headed dragon!

Mio has told stories professionally in Canada, Japan, France and the UK. She has a diverse menu of performances on offer which can be tailor made to suit schools needs, including residential programmes. She is also a professional musician of piano, harp and Japanese Koto.