Biography
Mr. Yamaji, Conductor
Mr. Joe Yamaji is a distinguished conductor and educator with a rich background in music and a career that spans continents. A graduate of Musashino Academia Musicae, one of Japan's premier music institutions, Mr. Yamaji earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Musicology. Under the mentorship of Professor Masao Kai, the former music director of the Imperial Household Orchestra, he refined his conducting craft with precision and artistry.
Mr. Yamaji pursued advanced studies in the United States at George Fox University to broaden his expertise, focusing on organ performance and improvisation with Dr. David Howard. From 1990 to 1992, he deepened his engagement with orchestral music through training with world-class ensembles, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Oregon Symphony Orchestra.
As a conductor, Mr. Yamaji has brought his visionary artistry to audiences in over 30 countries, collaborating with prominent orchestras and delivering acclaimed performances. Highlights of his international career include conducting the Voronezh State Symphony Orchestra in Russia (1999), the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra in China (2002), the Shanghai City Symphony Orchestra in China (2006, 2007), the Bombay Chamber Orchestra in India (2008, 2009, 2018, 2022, 2024), and the Century Symphonic Concert at the Shanghai EXPO in China (2010).
Mr. Yamaji has also partnered with a host of renowned musicians, including Sergei Polsmiak (Ukraine), Michi Hirata-North (USA), Rüdiger Steinfatt (Germany), Ji Young Jeon (Korea), Kaoru Kondo (Japan), Izumi Tateno (Japan), Chantal De Zeeuw (France), Yi Fan-Chiang (Taiwan), and Natasha Tadson (Israel), among many others.
Beyond his work with professional orchestras, Mr. Yamaji is deeply committed to fostering musical talent in youth and community ensembles. As the former Chairperson of the Music Department at Sheng-te Christian College in Taiwan, he played a pivotal role in nurturing young musicians. Currently, he is a faculty member at Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo, serves as Music Director for the Taoyuan City Jungli Youth Orchestra Association in Taiwan, and holds the position of Vice-Chairman of the World Federation of Amateur Orchestras (WFAO).
With his diverse repertoire and unwavering dedication to the transformative power of music, Mr. Yamaji continues to inspire audiences worldwide. He conducts with passion, precision, and an enduring commitment to artistic excellence.
