Risa Schapiro had an early introduction to music. She began piano lessons at a young age with her mother Yuko Maruyama, a Kawai Pianos featured jazz artist. Since then she has studied Western classical keyboard literature ranging from Baroque to 20th-century, and jazz improvisation incorporating harmonic analysis, chord voicing and arranging of songs from the standard jazz repertoire, as well as general music theory including score analysis, elementary composition and aural skills.
Risa is a versatile musician. She has performed: solo piano; classical chamber music; in jazz combos and large ensembles; and in choirs. In addition to piano, her primary instrument, she also plays accordion, percussion, and toy piano. Risa is a jazz improviser and vocalist who enjoys playing a wide variety of music, including jazz, classical, klezmer, zydeco and J-pop. As a vocalist, she is particularly interested in interpreting songs of the 1940’s Big Band era and classics from the Great American Songbook.
Music Résumé
INSTRUMENTAL STUDIES
Jazz Piano – 7 years, studio of Yuko Maruyama (2012-present)
Classical Piano – 14 years, studio of Sun Yung Cho (2017-19), studio of Yuko Maruyama (2005-2017)
PUBLIC & PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES
“Kids Into Music” Scholarship Benefit Concert (2019)
Pacific Regent Monthly Showcase Concert (2019)
Mission Trails Second Sunday Community Concert Series (2019)
San Diego County Fair (2014-18)
Scripps Ranch Library Concert Series (2018)
Mission Trails Regional Park Concert Series (2017 & 2018)
All Peoples Celebration (2016)
La Jolla Athenaeum Concert Series (2016)
Lyceum Theatre Concert Series (2015 & 2016)
Cuyamaca College Concert Series (2015 & 2016)
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival (2015)
Harmony for Humanity Concert (2014)
Jazz 88 CMEA Festival (2013)
ENSEMBLES
Grossmont College Jazz Ensemble – pianist (2019-20)
Mind the Details – jazz vocalist, accordionist & percussionist (2016-present)
M3 Jazz Trio – pianist (2012-16)
New Youth Orchestra – percussionist for Orchestra II (2012-14)
NYO Jazz Ensemble – pianist (2012-13)
San Diego Youth Symphony – percussionist for Concert Orchestra (2011-12)
JAZZ PIANO HONORS & AWARDS
LA Music Center Spotlight Competition, Jazz Instrumental Semifinalist (2020)
Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC) State Convention, Improvisation Honors Recital (2019)
LA Music Center Spotlight Competition, Jazz Instrumental Merit Award (2018)
CLASSICAL PIANO HONORS & AWARDS
MTAC Certificate of Merit, Advanced Level with Branch Honors (2018)
MTAC San Diego Chopin Festival, Third Place in Etude Division (2018)
Southern California Junior Bach Festival, Regional Competition Winner (2014 & 2017)
Helen B. Goodlin Competition, Honorable Mention in Division I Keyboard (2013 & 2014)
ADDITIONAL MUSIC THEORY & INSTRUMENTAL STUDIES
AP Music Theory (2018)
Accordion – studio of Murl Allen Sanders (2015-17)
Orchestral Percussion – instructors, Matthew Taylor (2010-2014), Bonnie Whiting Smith (2009-2012)
African Drumming – instructor, Nana Yaw Asiedu (2009-2010)