"Kajima touches the minds and souls of the audience."。- Chicago Tribune, 1996
About Fusao Kajima
At the age of three, he aspired to be a conductor; at four, he began piano lessons; and at sixteen, he went to the U.S. to pursue advanced studies.
Renowned for his dedication to the arts and innovative programming as a conductor, Kajima has earned significant acclaim.
- Founder of the Kajima Conducting Workshop
- Founder of the TOP Taiwan Orchestra Project
- Director of the Taipei International Conducting Academy &Festival (TICAF)
- Associate Professor of Orchestra at NTUA, NTCU, and TNUA
- Principal Conductor of the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (NTSO)
- Music Director of the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra, Washington State
Driven by a pure passion for music, Kajima continually strives for excellence, leading orchestras on profound musical journeys while faithfully serving the composer's spirit.
Biography
The Journey of a Conductor
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1963 - Born in Japan
Born in Chiba to a middle-class family with no musical background. He aspired to be a conductor at 3, began piano lessons at 4, and pursued studies in the U.S. at 16.
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1979 - Moved to the United States
From a Midwest rural high school to the cultural richness of the East Coast, Kajima studied under esteemed teachers, advancing his craft with humility and reflection.
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1988 - Career in Europe and the U.S.
Began working with orchestras across Europe and the U.S., refining his skills through experiences ranging from German opera houses to various orchestras of all sizes in America.
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1994 - Guest Conductor Worldwide
Invited to perform across the globe, with appearances in Spain, Germany, Italy, Estonia, Serbia, Macedonia, Russia, Azerbaijan, India, Taiwan, Japan, The Philippines and beyond.
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2011 - Invitation to Taiwan
Invited by the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (NTSO) to serve as Principal Conductor, while also teaching at NTUA, NCUE, and TNUA, and leading masterclasses.
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2023 - Passing on the Artistry
As an educator and conductor in classical music, Kajima established conducting workshops to mentor the next generation of conductors and musicians, passing on his artistry.
Career
2011-2015Conductor, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (NTSO)
1998-2011Music Director, Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra, Washington, USA
1999-2011Music Director, Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, Colorado, USA
1995-1998Music Director, Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, Illinois, USA
1997-1998Music Director, Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra, USA
1993-1997Music Director, Northern Illinois University Philharmonic Orchestra, USA
1993-1997Assistant Professor, Northern Illinois University, USA
1991-1993Assistant Conductor, Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Michigan, USA
1991-1993Assistant Conductor, Central Michigan Opera, USA
1989-1990Music Assistant, Freiburg Opera House, Germany
1988-1989Music Assistant, Darmstadt State Opera, Germany
Guest Conducting Experience
2015Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra
2015Kazakhstan State Symphony Orchestra
2015Kazakhstan National Academy of Music Orchestra
2015Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra
2012Evergreen Symphony Orchestra
2009-2010Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, USA
2009-2010Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra, Macedonia
2009-2010Barcelona Academy Orchestra of Gran Teatre del Liceu, Spain
2008-2009Madrid Philharmonic Orchestra, Spain
2007-2008Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra, Canada
2006-2007Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, Serbia
2005-2006St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, Russia
2003-2004St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, Russia
2002-2003Taipei County Symphony Orchestra, Taiwan
2002-2003Olympia Symphony Orchestra, USA
2002 & 2005Malaga Symphony Orchestra, Spain
2001-2002Northeast German Philharmonic Orchestra, Germany
2001-2002Vorpommern Opera House, Germany
2001David Oistrakh Festival, Estonia
2001National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra (NTSO), Taiwan
2000Pescara Symphony Orchestra, Italy
1997Rotaru International Ballet, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
1996Potsdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Germany
1995Trento Academic Philharmonic Orchestra, Italy
1994Obihiro Symphony Orchestra, Japan
1994Mumbai Chamber Orchestra, India
1987Robert Schumann Symphony Orchestra, Germany
1986 & 1985Michigan Opera Theatre, USA
Selected Awards
1995Fourth Prize, International Conducting Competition, Trento, Italy
1994Cultural Exchange Grant, Japan Foundation
1988Second Prize and Special Award, International Conducting Competition, Lugano, Switzerland
1986First Prize, Piano Performance Competition, New England Conservatory, Boston, USA
1985Second Prize, International Conducting Competition, Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, Salzburg, Austria
1982Full Scholarship, Drake University Piano Seminar, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
1982Second Prize, Young Artist Competition, Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, USA
1981Full Scholarship, Eastman School of Music Summer High School Program, Rochester, New York, USA
1981First Prize, Piano Performance Competition, Piano Teachers Association, Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Education
1988Master of Music in Conducting, University of Michigan, USA Teachers: Gustav Meier, Martin Katz
1989Chigiana Academy of Music, Italy Teacher: Gennady Rozhdestvensky
1987Tanglewood Music Center, USA Teachers: Leonard Bernstein, Seiji Ozawa, Leonard Slatkin, Oliver Knussen
1986Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, New England Conservatory, USA Teachers: Frank Battisti, Carl St. Clair, Veronica Jochum, Louis Krasner
1985Mozarteum Academy of Music, Austria Teachers: Ferdinand Leitner, Dieter Gerhard Worm
1981Eastman School of Music, USA Teachers: Maria Luisa Faini, Donald Hunsberger, Roy Ernst
1982Graduate, Pella Community High School, Iowa, USA
1979Graduate, Chiba University Affiliated Junior High School, Japan
Legacy
Various Types of Instruction
Individual & Group Training
Competitions Instructions
Rehearsal Techniques
Guest Conducting
Masterclasses
Workshops
Email:
ticaf.adm1@gmail.com
Phone:
0913-035201
More About Kajima
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