Early Performance Career
Lisa Furukawa is also a classical pianist and teacher. In her high school years, she was a Fletcher Scholarship winner, placed in many piano contests for solo and concerto performances (Durham Symphony, Yamaha, RPTA, MTNA), and participated in music festivals (Eastern Music Festival) and classical masterclasses. At UNC-Chapel Hill, she studied piano with Michael Zenge and Francis Whang, voice with Sharon Szymanski, and composition with Allen Anderson.
Furukawa began collaborating and performing with musician friends from UNC-Chapel Hill. With the encouragement of friends and ex-husband, Ken Ray (from West Trinity), Furukawa began performing her solo piano and vocal works in North Carolina.
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