Yuri Chayama, who has been described in the German press as "a virtuoso" and "master pianist," has performed in the United States, Germany, Italy, and Japan. After graduating from college in Japan, she received Master's Degrees from the Musikhochschule in Aachen, Germany and the University of New Mexico; her DMA is from the University of Arizona. Dr. Chayama won the Competition Internationalé in Santa Fe and a major prize from the Ibla Music Competition in Italy. The renowned composer Dr. Kurt Schwaen also awarded her the prize for Best Interpretation of his composition Nocturne Lugubre in Berlin in 2004. Dr. Chayama’s recordings of Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, and Takemitsu have been heard on classical radio stations in the United States and Japan. She enjoys accompanying and teaching piano and has worked with students of varying abilities from beginners to advanced levels. She currently resides in Washington, DC.