Born in Morioka, Japan, Yumi Kurosawa began studying the 13-stringed-Koto from the age of three under her parents, Kazuo and Chikako Kurosawa. At the age of fifteen she was drawn to the contemporary sound and technique of the 20-stringed-Koto and began studying the 20-stringed-Koto under Nanae Yoshimura, and classical Koto music under Sosui Yoshimura. Kurosawa received first prize at National Koto competition for students, Japan in 1989 and 1992. She performed a duet with Evjan Rattai of Prague Cello Ensemble at Suntory Hall, Tokyo in 1993. Following extensive performances in Tokyo, she began performing worldwide in concert tours to Canada, Germany, Malaysia, Russia, and United States. In 2002, she moved to New York in pursuit of new innovative collaborations with artists and musicians. She is currently producing her own compilation of original compositions and performing as a solo artist and collaborator in NYC. In addition to musical composition, arrangement and improvisation, Kurosawa's training in Modern Ballet led her to perform and collaborate with several New York dance companies. In 2009, performed in alive music performance of "LIFE AFTER DARK" at the Apollo Theater Salon
Series. For more information, visit her website.