A native of Osaka, Japan, Dr. Rie Tanaka is praised for her “brilliant performance” (Central Japan Newspaper) and “lovely sensitivity” (Pioneer Press). A prizewinner in prestigious compe
titions, she has earned accolades from the MTNA Young Artist Competition, Schubert Club Competition, Chautauqua Piano Competition, and Rosenstock International Piano Competition. She has been featured on Minnesota Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Radio, and Fox9 Minneapolis, with the Star Tribune naming her concerts among the Twin Cities’ “Week’s Best” multiple times.
Dr. Tanaka enjoys an active career as a soloist and chamber musician, performing in distinguished venues such as NHK Osaka Hall and Phoenix Hall in Japan, the Ordway Center in Minnesota, and the Wiener Musikverein in Austria. A passionate chamber musician, she has collaborated with members of the Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Phoenix Symphony, and Lyric Opera of Chicago, among many other notable musicians. She has also served as a staff pianist for the Lakes Area Music Festival, South Beach Chamber Ensemble, An Opera Theatre, and various chamber music festivals.
As an educator, Dr. Tanaka currently serves as an Instructor of Piano at the University of Arizona, teaching applied piano, group piano, and chamber music. Previously, she held teaching positions at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Macalester College, MacPhail Center for Music, and Saint Paul Conservatory of Music.
Dr. Tanaka holds a DMA and MM from the University of Minnesota and a BM from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.