"Pianist Mamiko Kitaura ... crisp, classical accuracy with a propulsive swing." - LA Times.

"..danced through deliciously edgy solos..." - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Mamiko Kitaura, a native of Miyazaki, Japan, began studying classical piano at the age of five. At the age of ten, she performed Mozart's "Piano Concerto K271" with the Miyazaki Symphony Orchestra. She also received first prize at the Piano Solo competition in Miyazaki at the age of sixteen and performed George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with the Miyazaki Nichidai Wind Orchestra at the age of seventeen.

After attending Sophia (Jochi) University in Tokyo, she decided to move to the United States and attended Eastman School of Music to further her jazz studies. While studying with Harold Danko at Eastman, Mamiko was selected to perform Wayne Shorter's "Footprints", arranged by Jeff Tyzik with Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and in the summer of 2003 she won full scholarship to attend the Henry Mancini Institute of jazz and film music performance. Mamiko has recorded and performed with artists such as Joey Baron, Lenny Castro, Vinnie Colaiuta, Peter Erskin, Dave Koz, David Liebman, Vince Mendoza, Toshi Nagai, Sam Newsome, Gunther Schuller, Tom Scott, Bob Sheppard, Marcus Printup.

In 2004 she was asked to join the Monica Mancini orchestra, daughter of Henry Mancini, for a 90 day national tour. Mamiko also has made several t.v. appearances in Japan, NHK National Network, and the U.S., A&E "Breakfast with the Arts." Mamiko is performing with symphony orchestras and in various groups nationally and internationally including her own trio.