A prizewinner of many international competitions, Noriko Uenaka has received second prize in the E.R. Stepanow in Austria, third prize in the Viotti-Valsesia in Italy, and third prize in the Bosendorfer Competition in Austria. She has been awarded diplomas from numerous competitions, including Beethoven (Austria), Maria Canals (Spain), Busoni (Italy), ABC Music Awards (Japan), and Tokyo Cultural Hall (Japan) and has also appeared in recitals and concerto performances with orchestras in Japan, Austria, and Italy.

Noriko Uenaka graduated from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Mrs. Uenaka pursued further studies at the Hochschule fur Musik in Vienna (Vienna Academy) and graduated from the School’s bachelor’s program with top honors.  She completed her Master’ s degree upon returning to Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music.

Mrs. Uenaka studied with Hideo Usui, Hitoshi Toyama, Reiko Matsuzaki, Carmen Graf-Adnet, Ryoko Fukasawa, and Victor Rosenbaum. She formerly held teaching positions at Ibaraki University and Tokiwa University and is currently on the faculty at Toride-Shoyo music high school in Japan. Mrs. Uenaka regularly serves as judge for the PTNA (Piano Teachers’ National Association) competitions, among others.  Mrs. Uenaka is also active in the vitalization of classical music in her hometown and serves as chairman of a music association in Ibaraki, Japan. 

Mrs. Uenaka has been the visiting artist of the Aloha International Piano Festival since its inception in 2006.