Dr. Miho Takekawa
Dr. Miho Takekawa is a percussionist, educator, and cultural ambassador whose career spans performance, teaching, and international collaboration. Originally from Tokyo and now based in the Seattle area, she serves as Professor of Percussion at Pacific Lutheran University, where she leads the percussion studio and directs the university's percussion ensembles. She also previously served as Interim Professor of Percussion at the University of Washington School of Music.
Dr. Takekawa began studying piano at the age of three before discovering percussion at thirteen. She graduated from Tokyo's prestigious Kunitachi College of Music and went on to earn both Master's and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Percussion Performance from the University of Washington, where she received the prestigious Boeing Scholarship among other honors.
An exceptionally versatile performer, Dr. Takekawa is active across a wide range of musical traditions, from classical contemporary music to Mexican banda, Colombian music, steel pan, and West African drumming. She performs with ensembles including Diego Coy Música Colombiana and Pan Duo, is a founding member of the Miho & Diego Duo, and has appeared in concerts throughout the United States, Mexico, Chile, Bolivia, and Japan.
Equally passionate about education and community engagement, Dr. Takekawa has dedicated much of her career to fostering cultural exchange between Japan and the United States through youth ensembles, educational tours, and collaborative performances. She has led or coordinated exchanges involving the University of Washington Husky Marching Band, the University of Washington Wind Ensemble, Musica Grato Himi (Japan), Graham-Kapowsin High School Band, the Left Coast Brass Quintet, and renowned Seattle percussionist Tom Collier.
Her commitment to service extends beyond the concert stage. Dr. Takekawa serves on the board of Steel Magic Orchestra Northwest, has been a consultant for the Washington State Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society, and has been a guest speaker for the University of Washington Percussion Lab. She is also a co-founder of Smile for Japan, a Seattle-based fundraising initiative established in response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and has contributed to additional benefit projects supporting disaster relief efforts in Washington State.
Her artistic and educational contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including a Washington State Arts Commission Fellowship and grants from King County 4Culture.