We interviewed Kaoruko Hino, who, after competing in the "Romania International Junior Music Competition," became the first winner of the "Romania International Music Competition."
ICon Arts Transylvania Award
Hino: I participated in this competition because I wanted to attend the summer seminar in Romania. Unfortunately, I didn't win the ICon Arts Transylvania Award at the competition, but after the competition, when I received feedback from Professor Sebastian, I think I conveyed my desire to attend the seminar.
Shimada: I had absolutely no idea that you were feeling that way.
Hino: Afterwards, Professor Sebastian invited me to a summer seminar through the association, and I immediately replied that I would like to attend.
Shimada: I asked you, "Sebastian has invited you to the summer seminar, what would you do?" and you replied without hesitation, "I'll go!" I was very surprised because I didn't know the story behind it.
Hino: I was so happy because I really wanted to go.
Shimada: So I understand you went to Romania, but why did you decide to go there two years in a row?
Hino: The lessons from Karen Jones, the flute instructor at the seminar, were wonderful. Also, the fellow students were great, and I made many friends from overseas, but if I had to sum it up in one word, it would be, "It was fun!"
Shimada: That's wonderful. I wish more Japanese people knew about this summer seminar in the Transylvania region of Romania, but it's not getting much attention, which is a shame. I hope many more people like Kaoruko will participate.
Hino: Yes, this is a seminar that I would like more people to know about and attend.
What initially motivated you to participate in this competition?
Shimada: The 8th Junior Competition has now concluded, and those who participated in the first competition are now eligible to participate in the "Romania International Music Competition," which requires participants to be 15 years of age or older. Kaoruko is one of those who progressed from the junior to the senior level and won an award.
Hino: Thank you. It was quite a while ago when I took the Junior audition, so I don't remember it very well, but I think I saw a flyer at the venue or somewhere because the audition venue was close to my house. Also, I think I wanted an opportunity to perform on stage and it was a time when I wanted to try taking part in a competition. The fact that I would receive feedback was also a factor.
Shimada: Then, after a few years, you took part in the "Romania International Music Competition," right?
Hino: Yes, that's right. I was in my third year of university. As I mentioned earlier, I wanted to go to ICon Arts Transylvania.
Shimada: That was a really good wish.
Life in Geneva
Shimada: So, after winning an award in a competition, you went to study in Geneva?
Hino: Yes, after taking a master class from the teacher I'm currently studying under, I decided I wanted to study under him and so I decided to go to Geneva.
Shimada: How is life in Geneva?
Hino: As someone born and raised in Tokyo, I find it a little sad that there isn't much entertainment. It's also a shame that there aren't many concert halls outside of schools, but it's a great environment for studying. Due to climate change, summers without air conditioning are very hot. It doesn't snow much in winter.
What do Romanian composers mean to you?
Shimada: I was very pleased to hear that you're holding a concert this August (2025) featuring only works by Romanian composers. What do Romania, Romanian music, and Romanian composers mean to you?
Hino: I find the folk-like musical style very interesting. Over the past two years, I've had many opportunities to go to Romania, such as participating in ICon Arts Transylvania and competitions in Cluj-Napoca. These opportunities made me want to learn more about Romania, and I enjoyed going to the library every day while I was in Cluj-Napoca (*2).
Shimada: So, you looked for Romanian songs?
Hino: Yes. It was because I got to know Romania that I wanted to research it. Also, while I was in Romania, I noticed that the level of music was very high, and I was concerned about how underrated it is in Japan.
Shimada: I like to delve deep into things, to learn new things, rather than just doing research. And Romania has suddenly become the subject of that interest!
Hino: That's right.
Shimada: Even so, I got the impression that you must have had a lot of passion to decide to hold a concert featuring only Romanian composers.
Hino: We did a lot of preparation. (See materials) And since we wanted everyone to feel the Romanian atmosphere, when I returned to Japan temporarily for the concert, I bought Romanian wine and Kozonac, a traditional Romanian sweet, to bring back with me.
Shimada: I never imagined I'd get a Cozonac (*3) there. I was so happy.
Our future goals
Shimada: I'm sure you still have many possibilities and things you want to do, but where do you want to aim for in the future?
Hino: I would like to participate in many master classes, and at the same time, I would like to aim to join an orchestra. I would also like to participate in student orchestras that operate intensively for a period of one to one and a half months in the summer, such as PMF (*4). Famous conductors from overseas come, and since there is no participation fee, many talented people gather there. I would like to continue to hone my skills in such an environment.
Shimada: Thank you very much. I look forward to your continued success.
(Interview: December 26, 2025)
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(*1) ICon Arts Transylvania is a summer seminar (summer camp) held in the Transylvania region of Romania. Instrumental lessons and concerts are held in each village. Professors are invited from all over the world, and participants come from all over the world. From Japan, competition winners (Kaoruko Hino, Bran String Quartet, Toma Kiga, Mayuko Ishigaki) and people who learned about it online have also participated.
(*2) Cluj-Napoca: A city in northwestern Romania.
(*3) Kozonak: A traditional sweet bread eaten at Christmas and Easter.
(*4) PMF https://www.pmf.or.jp/audition/
Kaoruko Hino (Flute)
She started playing the flute at the age of 6.
Third place in the Tokyo regional competition and finalist in the national competition of the 70th and 71st All Japan Student Music Competitions.
Winner of the top prize in the high school division of the flute category at the 30th Japan Classical Music Competition.
Winner of the top prize and the Audience Award in the wind instrument category at the 19th Romania International Music Competition.
I was selected through an audition to participate in the Curtis Institute of Music's Young Artist Summer Program 2019.
She has studied with Sumi Iwanami, Tomoko Oshibe, Eisuke Takezawa, Jun Kubo, Ryuji Masumoto, Ayako Takagi, and Jack Zoon. She has also taken masterclasses with Joshua Smith, Susan Milan, Sandrine François, and Karen Jones. She studied chamber music with Hitoshi Wakui, James Alexander, and Antoine Marguier. After graduating from Futaba High School in 2021, she entered Tokyo University of the Arts. Since 2024, she has been studying at the Geneva State University of Music.
