Rika Fukuda

Born in Japan, a versatile pianist RIKA FUKUDA started her piano lessons at age 5. She holds her degrees from Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo and the Royal College of Music, London (UK). Her teachers and mentors were Norio Fukushi (one of the most famous composers in Japan, having studied with Olivier Messiaen in the Conservatoire de Paris), Gordon Fergus-Thompson (piano performance at RCM), David Ward (fortepiano studies at RCM) and Karl Ulrich Schnabel in Italy. A winner of the prestigious Gunma Artist Award for Studying Abroad and the Amadeus Fortepiano Prize, Ms. Fukuda is known for her solo performances and a collaborative artist in high demand having performed numerous concerts around the world. A talented leader, since 2008, Rika has organized numerous musical events in support of young musicians such as the Piano Competition & Festival authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in which the many prize-winners have achieved professional careers.

Her friendship and collaborative work with pianist Tatjana Rankovich, had taken her to a first visit to Serbia in 2013, after which she has been passionately promoting Serbian music, often performing and presenting events at the Serbian Embassy in Tokyo, while promoting Japan - Serbia’s diplomatic ties, relations and friendship.

Ms. Fukuda is the President of the World Piano Teachers Association in Japan (WPTA Japan), which honorary chairman is Dr. Aleksandra Kovač, Serbian Ambassador to Japan. Ms. Fukuda’s recent appearances for the Japan-Serbia’s 140 years Friendship Anniversary concerts at the Serbian Embassy of Tokyo were highly praised. her recent collaborative performance at the Setagaya Museum and Arts Foundation organized by Fujimi City - the sister city of Šabac, Serbia, was received with great success.