About Rieko Makita

Rieko Makita is a Japanese-Australian pianist and composer whose performances have been praised for their “opalescent subtlety… and vibrant colours” (The Arts Desk) and distinctive “piano artistry” (ClassikON). She has performed internationally, including a sold-out debut at the Royal Albert Hall (Elgar Room), and has appeared on BBC Radio 3. Rieko was a piano fellow for the Philharmonia Orchestra in 2021-2022 and she was appointed as the Constant & Kit Lambert Fellow at the Royal College of Music in 2023-2024. 

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Rieko is generously supported by the PRS Foundation.

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solo pianist

Rieko is an active performer in Australia, Japan, and the UK. Performance highlights include a sold-out solo recital at the Royal Albert Hall, live performance on BBC Radio 3, and solo feature in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall and the City Recital Hall in Angel Place Sydney.

In 2019, she collaborated with the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra in Germany, playing Piano Concerto No 1 in E minor by Frédéric Chopin.

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chamber musician

As a versatile collaborative musician, Rieko has collaborated with musicians of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, BBC Orchestra and the Southbank Sinfonia in London.

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composer

Her works have been performed in venues including the Shoreditch Treehouse, Brunel Museum, and the Royal College of Music. Her compositions flow between minimalism and neoclassical styles, often written for acoustic instruments enhanced by electronic tracks and live sound manipulation.

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2025

Rieko will be performing throughout the UK and Australia, which will include solo piano classical music recitals as well as shows dedicated to her original music. Highlights include a performance with DEBUT Classical and an immersive music show in collaboration with digital artists; Bethan Hancock and Teodora Serbanescu. 

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