Ayako Higuchi

Pianist/Composer/Arranger Ayako Higuchi was born in Fukuoka, Japan in April 1984. Ayako started playing the classical piano at the age of 6, and started composing music at the age of 7. When she was in elementary school, junior high school, and high school, she received many prizes of classical piano competition and music writing competition.

After she graduated high school in Fukuoka, Japan and received World Scholarship from Berklee College of Music, Ayako entered Berklee in September 2003. She studied with JoAnne Brackeen, Greg Hopkins, Walter Beasley, Oscar Stagnaro and many other great teachers. In March 2006, Ayako received Carla Bley Award from Berklee College of Music. She graduated Berklee in Jazz Composition Major in December 2006.

She moved to New York in May 2007. She is currently participating in BMI Jazz Composer’s Workshop directed by Jim McNeely (Vanguard Orchestra), playing keyboard with "Lucius", "Angela Watson Bobyesgirl", "Erin Leah", "Songs of Solomon" (Youth Gospel Choir), etc.