Akari Komoto is a distinguished composer, musical director, pianist, and arranger, originally from Brisbane and now based full-time in Perth.
Her musical journey began at the age of four under the tutelage of Leah Horowitz OAM. As a young pianist, she was selected by Musica Viva to perform at Angela Hewitt’s masterclass in 2014 and again in 2015, where she also performed at Queensland Government House as part of Musica Viva’s annual event. In 2016, she was chosen for the ‘Rising Stars’ program at the Sydney International Piano Competition, performing live before world-renowned pianists in a globally broadcasted event. Her accolades include winning the Brisbane Aggregate Championships in 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as being selected for the Little Lev Vlasenko International Piano Competition in both 2015 and 2017.
Now in the final year of her Honours program in Composition and Sonic Arts at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Akari has expanded her artistic focus into musical direction and vocal direction. She has served as musical director for productions such as Les Misérables, the world premiere of The Hollow Cause by Keshetworks, and Lizzie: The Musical.
Beyond the theatre, Akari remains an active performer, regularly appearing in gigs, tribute bands, and classical concerts. Most recently, she debuted her original musical theatre work, Tales of a Love Story, further establishing herself as a versatile and innovative voice in contemporary composition and musical storytelling.
Her musical journey began at the age of four under the tutelage of Leah Horowitz OAM. As a young pianist, she was selected by Musica Viva to perform at Angela Hewitt’s masterclass in 2014 and again in 2015, where she also performed at Queensland Government House as part of Musica Viva’s annual event. In 2016, she was chosen for the ‘Rising Stars’ program at the Sydney International Piano Competition, performing live before world-renowned pianists in a globally broadcasted event. Her accolades include winning the Brisbane Aggregate Championships in 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as being selected for the Little Lev Vlasenko International Piano Competition in both 2015 and 2017.
Now in the final year of her Honours program in Composition and Sonic Arts at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Akari has expanded her artistic focus into musical direction and vocal direction. She has served as musical director for productions such as Les Misérables, the world premiere of The Hollow Cause by Keshetworks, and Lizzie: The Musical.
Beyond the theatre, Akari remains an active performer, regularly appearing in gigs, tribute bands, and classical concerts. Most recently, she debuted her original musical theatre work, Tales of a Love Story, further establishing herself as a versatile and innovative voice in contemporary composition and musical storytelling.