Origin and Artistic Development
Born in Saitama, Japan, Nozomi Hiwatashi now lives in Stuttgart and is regarded as one of the most promising talents in the international percussion scene. With fine musical sensitivity, impressive technical control, and infectious joy in playing, she captivates audiences, critics, and competition juries alike. Her passion lies in the countless tonal colors of percussion, particularly the marimba and the full spectrum of percussion instruments.
After intensive marimba studies at the Tokyo College of Music with professors such as Momoko Kamiya, Atsushi Sugahara, Syouichi Kubo, and Hidemi Murase, a television broadcast of the ARD International Competition introduced her to the Stuttgart percussion scene and the exceptional sound quality of German instruments – this became the decisive impulse for her move to Germany. Since 2021, she has been an official Kolberg Percussion Artist.
Competition Successes and Scholarships
In a very short time, Nozomi Hiwatashi achieved outstanding international successes: She reached the semifinals of the 68th ARD International Music Competition 2019 in Munich, won 2nd Prize along with the Willem Vos Award at the TROMP International Percussion Competition Eindhoven 2020, and took 1st Prize at the Southern California Marimba Competition 2021. Further awards include 2nd Prize in the marimba category at the Italy Percussion Arts Society Competition as well as successes at the Japan Wind and Percussion Competition. Her career is supported by scholarships from the Yamaha Music Foundation, the Seki Art Foundation Japan, the Tokyo College of Music, and the Interstip program.
Concert Activities and Repertoire
As a soloist and in chamber music formations, she performs regularly in Germany and internationally – including at the PULSE Festival 2020 in Copenhagen, the matinée concert during the ARD Competition in Munich, as guest soloist with the Gala Orchestra of the Tokyo College of Music, and at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich. Her repertoire spans classical works, contemporary compositions, and solo pieces such as “Monodrame I” by Yoshihisa Taira or “blacksnowfalls” by Wojtek Blecharz; she appears in concert halls and in video productions featuring Kolberg instruments.
Education and Pedagogical Engagement
She received her first percussion lessons from Prof. Toshiaki Ishiuchi. She completed her Artistic Diploma (Konzertexamen) at the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart under Prof. Marta Klimasara and Prof. Klaus Dreher. She continues to receive important impulses from Prof. Jürgen Spitschka, Tomohiro Nishikubo, and Satoko Ichimaru. As a sought-after educator, Nozomi Hiwatashi shares her knowledge in masterclasses and workshops.
A Look into Nozomi's Setup
Bass Drum „Rebonds“
When I got to know this instrument, I said to myself: "Oh, this is the sound I was looking for! That's it, that's it! This was what I was looking for!"
This big drum has an inherently coherent sound that hits you in the stomach like the kick of a drum kit, but it also has a resonance and depth that makes the earth tremble. This balance is truly extraordinary and I have rarely heard it like this! The name of this instrument is "Rebonds", but I think it can also be used for almost any other setup, not only Xenakis' works. I can highly recommend this drum, as it is also designed to be easy to pack and practical to transport, so that it can "travel" to every concert."