Kenji Fujimura : Associate Artist
Photo: Giulia McGauran
Dr. Kenji Fujimura is an internationally acclaimed pianist and chamber musician. Renowned for his ability to present an eclectic range of repertoire with "understanding, sympathy, and technical prowess" (Musicweb International), his recordings have received numerous accolades, including the Musicweb International Recording of the Year, Colin Clarke's 2015 "Top 5 Want List" (Fanfare USA), and the Limelight Chamber Music Recording of the Year, among others. His discography includes William Hurlstone: Complete Piano Music (Toccata Classics), Romantic Piano Trios, and English Piano Trios (Divine Art) with Trio Anima Mundi, as well as The Messiaen Nexus (Move) and the Complete Violin Sonatas of George Frederick Pinto (Toccata Classics) with violinist Elizabeth Sellars.
Kenji is also a multi-award-winning composer. Self-taught, his compositions were first performed publicly whilst still a school student. More recently, his works have been showcased throughout Australasia, the USA, Romania, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. His accolades include the Singapore Asian Composers Festival Award, the William Lincer Foundation Award (USA), and the VirtualArtists International Composition Award (USA). He was also a finalist in the 2nd Cum Laude International Composition Competition (Spain). His music is distributed by Universal Edition (Wien).
Kenji is a highly respected pedagogue whose tertiary teaching career commenced while he was still an undergraduate. After retiring in December 2018 from his role as Deputy Head and Associate Professor at the Monash University School of Music, he now dedicates his time to several important positions: he serves as Executive Director of the International Academy of Musical Arts (www.iamusica.org), Associate Lecturer at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, and examiner for the Australian Music Examinations Board. Additionally, he is a Founding Member of Trio Anima Mundi and Patron of the Association of Eisteddfod Societies of Australia (www.eisteddfod.org.au) while also maintaining a very exclusive private piano studio.
Kenji's ongoing commitment to the music profession is evident in his active performance schedule and dedication to researching and advocating for 'forgotten' music. Engagements for 2025 include world premiere recordings for The Reissiger Project, as well as commissioned composition premieres and jury duties for various competitions.
His impressive academic background began at The University of Melbourne, where he completed the four-year Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree in just two years. He furthered his education through Master's and doctoral programs as a scholarship student in both Melbourne and London, where he garnered numerous accolades as a pianist, fortepianist, and chamber musician.
In recognition of his significant contributions to the music profession, Kenji was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London in 2015.
Kenji Fujimura — current to March 2025