Kinoshita Ryuya

Born in Kitakyushu in 1980, Takaya Kinoshita is one of the few Japanese performers to have studied classical accordion professionally at an Italian state conservatory. He completed his studies with 110/110 con Lode, the highest possible grade at an Italian university. Based in Fukuoka, he performs, trains younger musicians, promotes the accordion, and actively fosters international musical exchange with Europe. In 2001, he entered the accordion program at the Conservatorio di Musica “Niccolò Piccinni” di Bari in Italy, studying with Francesco Palazzo. In 2010, he graduated from the conservatory’s accordion course with the top grade of 110/110 con Lode and earned a Diploma Accademico di Secondo Livello (master’s degree). While in Italy, he studied in masterclasses with internationally renowned performers including Stefan Hussong, Matti Rantanen, Mika Väyrynen, and Frédéric Deschamps. He specializes in contemporary works by composers such as Sofia Gubaidulina and Luciano Berio. In 2010, he won first place in the classical accordion division of Giovani Musicisti 2010 in Italy. In 2013, he served as Japan’s representative juror at the Premio Internazionale della Fisarmonica (PIF) in Castelfidardo. He continued performing and teaching across Europe, and in 2019 appeared at the Fadiesis International Accordion Festival in Matera, Italy, where three of his students performed as soloists. In 2022, marking the 200th anniversary of free-reed instruments, he planned and performed The Fusion of the “Origins” and “Development” of the Free Reed, a concert for sho and accordion. In 2023, he appeared in Basilicata Mother Land, a tourism-promotion film produced by Italy’s Basilicata region, and performed at the Fadiesis International Accordion Festival. He served as a juror for an international accordion competition in Bari in 2024 and as Japan’s representative juror for the Confédération Mondiale de l’Accordéon (CMA) international competition in France in 2025, continuing an active international career. Drawing on his relationships with European conservatories and performers, he introduces opportunities for overseas masterclasses, international competitions, and study abroad to Japan while helping connect the musical communities of Japan and Europe. Instructor at Classical Accordion Lab. Honorary member of the Italian Accordion Association. Editorial supervisor of the accordion magazine Kami no Accordion.

1980 — Born in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture. 2001 — Entered the accordion program at the Conservatorio di Musica “Niccolò Piccinni” di Bari in Italy and studied with Francesco Palazzo. 2010 — Graduated from the conservatory’s accordion course with the highest grade, 110/110 con Lode, and earned a Diploma Accademico di Secondo Livello (master’s degree). Won first place in the classical accordion division of Giovani Musicisti 2010. 2013 — Served as Japan’s representative juror at the Premio Internazionale della Fisarmonica (PIF) in Castelfidardo. 2019 — Participated in the Fadiesis International Accordion Festival in Matera, Italy, guiding three Japanese students to their overseas debuts as soloists. 2022 — Planned and performed The Fusion of the “Origins” and “Development” of the Free Reed, a concert for sho and accordion commemorating the 200th anniversary of free-reed instruments. Gave the premiere concert in Matera, Italy. 2023 — Appeared in Basilicata Mother Land, a tourism-promotion film produced by Italy’s Basilicata region, and performed at the Fadiesis International Accordion Festival. 2024 — Served as a juror at the Bari International Accordion Competition in Italy. 2025 — Served as Japan’s representative juror at the Confédération Mondiale de l’Accordéon (CMA) international competition in France. Currently based in Fukuoka, where he performs, trains younger musicians, promotes the accordion, and fosters international musical exchange with Europe. Current positions • Instructor, Classical Accordion Lab • Honorary member, Italian Accordion Association • Editorial supervisor, accordion magazine Kami no Accordion