Biography

Edward Kawakami is known internationally as a passionate, sure and highly personable conductor. Currently the Conductor of the California State University, Northridge Youth Symphony and a freelance artist, he has demonstrated the ability to evoke humanistic, passionate performances from any group. As the conductor of the Youth Symphony, he has doubled the size and quality of the ensemble and also has been instrumental in raising substantial donations.

Edward has appeared with the Junge Philharmonie Salzburg, the Osterreichisches Ensemble fur Neue Musik, and the Kharkov Philharmonic in the 2004 Vahktang Jordania International Conducting Competition. He is also the co-founder and the Music Director of the Aspiro Orchestra.

Edward began his collegiate education when he was accepted at the age of 16 to the University of Southern California's prestigious Resident Honors Program as a Dean's Scholar. Fascinated by the rigors of science and human nature, he immersed himself in Chemistry and Psychology which culminated in his management of a research project. His passion called, however and he opted to pursue his music education at California State University - Northridge, and the University of Southern California, he also holds Diplomas from the Internationale Sommerakademie Mozarteum, where he studied with Peter Gülke and Johannes Kalitzke. He also counts among his teachers, Jorge Mester, David Shostac and Yasuo Shinozaki.