Ryoko Imai is a unique Japanese percussionist currently based in Lisbon, Portugal.
She is musically intelligent and sensitive ably supported by strong techniques and rich experiences. Audience is always attracted and excited by her quirky, rhythmical, feminine, powerful and danceable performances.
Nowadays she is working globally as known as a multi-percussionist beyond the border of different genres of music fields.
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Her musical education was started on playing the piano at age 3. She has changed to play the percussion and she has advanced to specialize on the way at age 16. She has done her bachelor and master degrees in Tokyo College of Music. In 2008, she has moved to study in Conservatorium van Amsterdam, has completed her bachelor ‘cum laude’, also master degree of classical percussion.
In 2009, she won second prize (highest position) at solo VI group in the Pendim International Percussion Competition in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where she also received two special prizes for ‘the brightest stage presence’ and ‘the best membrane instruments performance’.
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She is recently working as an active freelancer percussionist in different genres of music; such as classical, contemporary, baroque, pop, latin and jazz. She has ever worked with many famous orchestras, ensembles, bands and music festivals;
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Slagwerk Den Haag, New European Ensemble, Asko|Schöenberg, Bach Collegium Japan, Drums United, Beat the Kitchen, Gaudeams Muziekweek, November Music, Holland Festival, Gulbenkian Orchestra, Orquestra Sinfonica do Porto Casa da Musica, Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, Ramon Galarza’s Band, ‘Tap Dogs’ tour in Germany 2015 and Coliseu do Porto Circo 2022 etc.
She had performances in more than 20 countries; Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Surinam, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.
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She has worked as marimba guest teacher in ArtEZ Arnhem and Zwolle between 2011 and 2012. Also she has a lot of teaching experiences: lessons, master-classes, workshops in Japan and the Netherlands.