Early Life and Education
Born in Hiroshima, Japan, Machi Ishida began playing the marimba at the age of nine. She spent five formative years as a member of the Hiroshima Junior Marimba Ensemble, performing in over 400 concerts and developing a deep, physical connection to the expressive power of rhythm and sound. At only twelve years old, she became the youngest-ever Espoir Prize winner at the Osaka International Music Competition, earning national attention for her musical sensitivity.
Machi pursued her academic studies in music culture education at Hiroshima University, later earning her Master’s degree in percussion performance under Momoko Kamiya at Elisabeth University of Music. Driven by a passion for exploring broader musical horizons, she continued her studies at the Conservatoire de Strasbourg in France, training under the internationally renowned percussionist and composer Emmanuel Séjourné. Her artistic voice further expanded through studies in traditional Middle Eastern percussion.
Awards and Recognitions
Machi’s artistry has been recognized internationally through numerous competition successes: 2nd Prize at the 2017 Taiwan International Percussion Competition, 1st Prize in the Duo/Trio category at the 2019 Swiss Percussion Competition, and 4th Prize at the 2021 Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium. In 2022, she made history as the first Japanese winner of the Stuttgart World Marimba Competition, also receiving the Audience Award and the Prize for Best Performance of the Commissioned Chamber Work.
Professional Career
Her performance career spans engagements across the United States, Germany, Denmark, Austria, France, China, Mongolia, Australia, and Taiwan. She has collaborated with distinguished marimbists such as Adam Tan and Tanel Eiko Novikov, performed in concerts and masterclass tours with the Taiwanese duo Twincussion, and recorded new works for Edition Svitzer in Denmark.
Academic Leadership and Teaching
Alongside her performance career, Machi is dedicated to music education and mentoring young artists. She works closely with a select group of students, both in person and online, offering individualized instruction with care and enthusiasm. Together with her twin sister, she performs as the Marimba Twins, a duo that has presented seven recitals to date, bringing engaging performances to audiences of all ages — from schoolchildren to international festival stages.
A Look into Machi's Setup
Award-Winning Mallets
Machi Ishida has risen to international prominence performing with the Jasmin Kolberg marimba mallets. The four models — Solo 1 through Solo 4 — offer a spectrum of tonal characteristics, providing the perfect sound for performing at the world’s most prestigious competitions and concert stages.
Each mallet is handcrafted in Germany from premium materials, ensuring exceptional quality, balance, and musical expression.
Photo Credits: Venera Red