Award winning pianist Mitsutaka Shiraishi completed his graduate studies at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music before moving on for advanced studies at New York's Juilliard School of Music. After winning the 1990 Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition, he won the 1991 Concerto Competition at Juilliard. That latter included his New York debut with the Juilliard Orchestra at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. Returning to Japan, Shiraishi won the 1994 Kinoshita Prize at the 63rd Japan Music Competition (accompanist, vocal section).
His CD, "Regulus Circuit", took the Academy Award of Yamano Gakki in 1998, for contemporary music. His other CD releases, "109" and "Happy Sax Paradise" "Piano Works by Great Conductors" also drew wide acclaim. Shiraishi's annual recitals, 15 thus far, have been building a solid audience enthused by his outstanding programming, highlighted by his keen sense of rhythm and infectious interpretations.
Shiraishi's teachers have included Keiko Kanazawa, Yoshie Takara, the late Jun Date, Hitoshi Kobayashi and Martin Canin. He also studied chamber music with Felix Galimir and accompaniment with Jonathan Feldman. Besides his busy public schedule, Shiraishi currently teaches at his alma mater, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.