Marina Iwao is a Japanese-born pianist acclaimed for her nuanced artistry, expressive range, and deep commitment to ensemble playing. Praised for her sensitivity, clarity, and versatility, she has collaborated with distinguished artists such as Frank Morelli, David Shifrin, Quatuor Debussy, Tara O’Connor, and Daniel Phillips, among many others.
An avid chamber musician, she performs regularly in recitals and at festivals across the U.S. Recent highlights include performances at Music from Angel Fire in New Mexico and a fall 2025 tour with clarinetist David Shifrin. She also gave the world premiere of Margaret Brouwer’s Sonata for Clarinet and Piano with clarinetist Thomas Piercy at the 2023 International Clarinet Fest in Denver.
A passionate advocate for contemporary music, Marina is a member of Random Access Music, a New York City-based collective of composers and performers. She brings the same depth of interpretation and artistic commitment to both classical and contemporary repertoire, building meaningful connections with music of all eras.
Marina’s dedication to ensemble playing began early. In high school, long before encountering the
term “collaborative piano,” she discovered a deep joy in accompanying her friends—a passion that
would shape her artistic identity. She went on to earn her Master of Music degree in Collaborative
Piano from The Juilliard School, where she studied with Jonathan Feldman and Dr. Lydia Brown.
Her summer festival experience includes the Bowdoin International Music Festival, Music Academy
of the West, and a two-year fellowship at the Yale School of Music from 2022 to 2024.
In addition to her active performing career, Marina is a devoted educator. She has served on the
faculty of the New England Music Camp and the Philadelphia International Music Festival. She
currently holds positions as a staff pianist at The Juilliard School and Kaufman Music Center, and
teaches chamber music at the School for Strings in New York City.
