Mariko is originally from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and has been playing piano since the age of seven. From the age of 15 she received supplementary scholarship lessons from Nigel Clayton at the North East of Scotland Music School. During this time she won such prizes as the Sheila Mossman and Gina Dallas Harper Wards as sell as the coveted first prize at the Moray International Piano Competition.
She has since studied with John Thwaites (professor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama), John Blakely (Royal College of Music) and Roger Vignoles (Royal College of Music) and to date has a BA, BMus (hons) and a PG Dip (the latter specialising in piano accompaniment and supported by an award from Pro Musica Ltd.). She has an award from the Scottish International Education Trust to complete a Masters degree (piano accompaniment) at the Royal College of Music in September from 2008.
Mariko has taken part in masterclases with such distinguished pianists as Stephen Kovacevich, Boris Berman, Martino Tirimo, Dominique Merlet and Malcom Martineau. At present she is enjoying exploring string duo and chamber music repertoire in particular. Mariko is also a keen violinist and performs as a permanent violinist with the London Irish Symphony Orchestra.
