Itsuko Bara

Itsuko Bara is a Suzuki piano teacher, teacher trainer and accompanist.
She began her piano studies at the age of 4 with Mrs. Shizuko Suzuki (Dr. Suzuki’s sister in law), continuing her studies at Toho Gakuen College of Music and The International Academy of the Suzuki Method with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, Dr. Haruko Kataoka and Mr. Toshio Takahashi.

At a young age, she performed as a soloist at the National Convention of Suzuki Method, various graduation concerts as well as making recordings for ‘The introduction of Suzuki Method’. In addition to performing, Itsuko has attended various summer schools, teacher conferences, grand concerts across various cities in Japan on a yearly basis.

Since arriving in Australia in 1987, she has been teaching at her private studio in Sydney (including conducting a training course weekly) and at Suzuki Workshops, teacher training courses and conferences both interstate and overseas (London, Davos Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Lithuania, Lativa and New Zealand). As well as teaching, she also accompanies regularly at Suzuki events such as the yearly Suzuki Graduation concert at the Sydney Opera House and various summer schools.

Itsuko regularly travels back to Japan to attend teacher training, concerts and International conferences.

Currently Itsuko is teaching at her studio, Itsuko Bara & Bart Kenis Piano Studio, with her partner Bart Kenis who came recently from Belgium and is also a pianist, piano accompanist and Suzuki piano teacher.


Bart Kenis

Bart Kenis teaches Suzuki piano as well traditional piano and is also accompanist.
He began his piano studies at the age of 7 with prof. Leysen and he continued his studies at the Royal Conservatoire in Antwerp under prof. Gevers where he achieved first prizes for piano, chamber music and accompaniment. To complete his pianistical skills he studied with Levente Kende. He received master classes from the Beaux-Arts Trio, Alfred Brendel, Roger Vignoles, Menahem Pressler, Imogen Cooper, William Pleeth...

Bart Kenis participated also in different chamber music ensembles including the Arpeggione Trio with Leonid Kerbel. As accompanist, he won with Hans Peter Janssens first prize in the Clairmont Ferrand singers competition for best song interpretation.
He made recordings for national radio and performed as chamber musician and accompanist on many festivals and master classes.

Specific as pianist-accompanist he is also active on international competitions in Belgium and abroad, including in the famous Wieniawski Violin Competition, the Grumiaux, the junior Menuhin Competition,...
He has been invited as pianist-accompanist in European and international Suzuki workshops, masterclasses and conventions.

Until December 2018, before moving to Australia, he was teaching and accompanying more than 30 years traditional as well the Suzuki Method in Belgium in the Academy for Music, Drama and Dance in Turnhout Belgium and in his own piano studio in Antwerp.
From now, he is excited to build up the piano studio with Itsuko Bara.

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