Biography
Edward Kawakami is known internationally as a passionate, sure and highly personable conductor. Currently attending the Florida State University, College of Music where he is working on his Masters of Music in Orchestral Conducting with Dr. Alexander Jiménez (and will subsequently also obtain his doctorate from the same institution), he has demonstrated the ability to evoke humanistic, passionate performances from any group. His recent work with the university orchestras as well as with the Big Bend Community Orchestra have drawn rave reviews.
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.