KUNIKO KATO is the one of the most promising young percussionist in the world today. Specializing herself both in marimba and percussions, she studied under Keiko Abe for marimba, Yoshitaka Kobayashi and Kyoichi Sano for percussions at Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, Japan. While studying, she performed with Toho Gakuen Orchestra conducted by Kazuyoshi Akiyama as a soloist for "Concert for marimba and string orchestra" written by Akira Miyoshi.
After graduated from Toho She went to Europe by herself for further advancing music education and artist career. While she stayed in Europe she entered to Rotterdam Conservatorium in Netherlands and studied percussions further under Robert Van Sice where she was conferred "Cum Laude" for her graduation and at that time she was the only percussionist who have ever received this degree among all graduates.
Other than her solo works in Japan, Europe and U.S, she has been selected as an active member of Saito Kinen Orchestra by strong recommendation of Seiji Ozawa, Ensemble ICTUS (Belgium) and Ensemble NOMAD (Tokyo). Recently she has eagerly joined with the Yatsugatake Kogen Festival (directed by Toru Takemitsu), Saito Kinen Festival (directed & conducted by Seiji Ozawa) included U.S. Touring 2000, and Mito chamber orchestra(directed & conducted by Seiji Ozawa) included Europe touring 2001, ARS MUSICA Festival (Belgium), Oxford Festival (U.K.), etc.
Her Awards include 2nd prize in the 7th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition(1990) 2nd prize in International Leigh Howard Stevens Marimba Competition(1995) "Kranichstein Musikpreis" in the Darmstadt '(1996) She is an international endorsement artist of Pearl Musical Instrument & ADAMS Musical Instrument in North America, European Union and Japan.