Nariaki Sugiura
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Professor, Music
- Piano / Collaborative Piano / Chamber Music / Community-Engaged Music Outreach and Cultural Exchange
Contact Info
- Email: nariaki.sugiura@UND.edu
- Office: 701.777.2839
- Dept: 701.777.2644
Office Address
Music
Hughes Fine Arts Center Room 204
3350 Campus Road Stop 7125
Grand Forks, ND 58202-7125
Biography
Music critics in Europe have praised pianist Dr. Nariaki Sugiura for his artistry, describing him as possessing “the most sensitive touch on the piano” and “the rigueur, passion, and discipline of an old Samurai.” An internationally acclaimed concert artist, he has appeared in solo recitals and concerto engagements throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. His performances have taken place at distinguished venues including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York), Shenzhen Symphony Hall (China), Ferenc Liszt Academy Recital Hall (Hungary), Palazzo Taffini (Italy), Mannheim Baroque Palace (Germany), Daejeon Arts and Cultural Center (South Korea), Manoel Theatre (Malta), Kioi Hall (Japan), and Museo de Arte (Puerto Rico).
As a concerto soloist, Dr. Sugiura has collaborated with ensembles such as the University of Antioquia Symphony Orchestra, Peking University Affiliated High School Concert Band, Purdue University Philharmonic, Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra, Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra and others. An active and sought-after collaborative pianist, he has performed with renowned artists including Astrid Schween, László Varga, Anthony Ross, Csaba Onczay, Leonardo Altino, Federico Agostini, Emilio Colón, and Thomas Robertello. With his wife, cellist Simona Barbu, he is a founding member of Duo Cantabile, an internationally touring cello–piano ensemble engaged in both performance and pedagogy.
Dr. Sugiura has released nine albums on labels including Klavier Records, Centaur Records, Eroica Classical Recordings, Albany Records, T.K. Music Productions, and the Indiana University Latin American Music Center. His performances have been broadcast internationally on radio and television. His most recent recordings include Introspections (Centaur Records, 2024), features commissioned works for Duo Cantabile, and Unbound (Centaur Records, 2026) American Piano Music for the left hand.
In addition to his performance career, Dr. Sugiura is active as an editor and arranger. His chamber music editions are published by Ludwig Masters Music Publications, and his arrangements for piano and chamber ensembles are widely performed. He has collaborated closely with leading composers such as Joan Tower, Libby Larsen, Aaron Jay Kernis, Eric Ewazen, Bruce Stark, Valerie Coleman, and Matthew Peterson.
A dedicated educator, Dr. Sugiura is recognized as a leading pedagogue of his generation. He has presented masterclasses at institutions worldwide, including Civico Instituto Musicale “V. Baravalle” (Italy), Gheorghe Dima Music Academy (Romania), Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Mannheim (Germany), University of Antioquia (Colombia), Yucatán University of Arts (Mexico), Xinghai Conservatory of Music (China), National Kaohsiung Normal University (Taiwan), Ewha Woman’s University and Sunhwa Arts High School (South Korea), Universitas Pelita Harapan (Indonesia), St. Paul’s College (Hong Kong), and the University of Minnesota. He currently serves as Professor of Piano and Piano Area Coordinator at the University of North Dakota and previously held faculty positions at DePauw University and Indiana University.
His additional engagements include teaching at the Lamont Summer Pre-College Music Academy (Denver), Winter Music Festival in Vale Vêneto (Brazil), InterHarmony International Music Festival, International Music Camp, and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (China). At Indiana University, he served as studio pianist for the legendary cellist János Starker.
Dr. Sugiura is also an active adjudicator, having served in competitions across the United States and Asia, including the Wittgenstein Memorial International Piano Competition for Left-Hand (Japan), Alma Cornea Ionescu International Festival and Piano Competition (Romania), the Hong Kong International Piano Pedagogy Association’s Beaux Arts Competition, and the Outstanding Asian Youth Piano Competition (China).
His students have earned top prizes, scholarships, and placements in leading graduate programs, with several now serving on university faculties. Deeply committed to using music as a means of building relationships across communities and cultures, Dr. Sugiura founded initiatives such as the Red River Trio Project, strengthening ties between Grand Forks and its friendship city, Kanuma, Japan—an effort for which he was named an Honorary Cultural Ambassador in 2015. He also initiated the 2+1 Master of Music Program with East China Normal University in Shanghai and served as Senior Advisor for the American Cultural Center at the University of Shanghai Science and Technology. His community-engaged work extends to partnerships with Native American and rural communities in North Dakota, cultural research and exchange with the Ainu community in Japan, and community-based concerts and fundraising initiatives. He also creates international learning opportunities for his students through programs such as the UNAY Chamber Music Festival in Mérida, Mexico, where students participate in chamber music performance, coaching, and cultural exchange. Through these experiences, he encourages students to connect their musical training with community engagement, cross-cultural learning, and meaningful artistic collaboration. Through this work, Dr. Sugiura views music not only as an art form, but also as a powerful means of fostering understanding, building relationships, and strengthening communities.
A native of Japan, Dr. Sugiura began piano studies at age five with his mother. He later studied with Michel Block and Shigeo Neriki at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he earned both the Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in Piano Performance.
2011 DM, Indiana University – Bloomington, IN (Piano Performance, Minor in Music Theory)
2002 MM, Indiana University – Bloomington, IN (Piano Performance, cognate in conducting)
2000 BM, Indiana University – Bloomington, IN (Piano Performance)
1997 Academie de Musique Tibor Varga– Sion, SWITZERLAND (Piano)
1994 HS Diploma, Tokyo College of Music High School – Tokyo, JAPAN (Piano Performance)
Expanding Piano Music Repertoire for Left Hand by Living American Composers
Chamber Music: commissioning, performing and recording new music, making arrangments
Piano Ensemble: creating, performing and recording arrangments
Community-Engaged Music Outreach and Cultural Exchange:
My work explores the role of music in fostering connection, cultural understanding, and community participation. I develop partnerships with Native American and rural communities in North Dakota, engage in cross-cultural musical research and exchange with the Ainu community in Japan, and organize community-based concerts and fundraising initiatives. These activities often involve my students as performers, teachers, researchers, and collaborators, giving them opportunities to connect their musical training with real-world community engagement and to learn from the people and cultures with whom they work.
Publications – Sound Recordings
2026 Unbound: American Piano Music for the Left Hand. Centaur Records - Baton Rouge, LA (CRC4168).
2024 Introspections: Works for Cello & Piano. Simona Barbu, cello. Centaur Records - Baton Rouge, LA (CRC4094).
2020 Duality: Works for Tenor Saxophone & Piano. Scott Sandberg, tenor saxophone. Albany Records – Albany, NY (TROY1807).
2012 Vol. 2 – Piano de Pampa y Jungla - A Collection of Latin American Piano Music Indiana University Latin American Music Center.
2010 Piano Album - Live Recording. T. K. Music Productions.
2010 Cello Album – Love Songs. Yeon-Ji Yun, cello. T. K. Music Productions.
2008 Eleventh Annual Competition in the Performance of Music from Spain and Latin America. Yeon-Ji Yun, cello. Indiana University Latin American Music
Center.
2007 Virtuoso Cello Encore. Joseph Kaizer, cello. Eroica Classical Recordings. (3374)
2006 Esencia: Cello in the Panpas & the Caribbean, Emilio Colón, cello. Klavier Music Productions (K11143)
2003 Piano Solo Album. Nariaki Sugiura, piano. T. K. Music Productions.
2001 Canticum Novum: Sacred Vocal Music from the Late 20th CenturyAguavá New Music Ensemble, Carmen Téllez, conductor. Aguavá New Music Studio.
1999 Second Annual Competition in the Performance of Music from Spain and Latin America. Indiana University Latin American Music Center.
Publications – Video Recordings
2022 Bruce Stark: Nocturne for Left Hand Piano (2021) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr-2nQ4xs98
2013 12 Spanish Dances “Andaluza” by Enrique Granados. Recorded at North Dakota Museum of Arts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLnjr1NScBU
2007 La Muerte del Angelby Astor Piazzolla. Recorded at Tu TV “Cultura Viva” San Juan, Puerto Rico. Broadcasted on 5/16/2007.
Publications - Sheet Music (http://www.masters-music.com)
2009 Serge Rachmaninoff: Cello Sonata Op.19 G minor. Ludwig Masters Music Publications (M4111)
2006 César Franck: Sonata for Cello and Piano A major. Ludwig Masters Music Publications (M3938)
2005 Charles-Valentin Alkan: Cello Sonata Op. 47. Ludwig Masters Music Publications (M3839)
2004 Ernesto Lecuona: Danzas Afro-Cubanas for Vc and Pno. Ludwig Masters Music Publications (M3752)
2025 Joyce and Aqueil Ahmad Endowment for the Promotion of Peace and Nonviolence
2022 Yamaha USA Classical Piano Artist (Yamaha Artist Services, Inc.) – New York, NY
2021 Service to the Profession Award from North Dakota Music Teachers Associations
2018 Senior Consultant of American Cultural Center at University of Shanghai Science and Technology – Shanghai, CHINA
2016 Honorary Advisory Board Member, Peking University Affiliated High School – Beijing, CHINA
2015 Kanuma Cultural Ambassador, Kanuma Board of Education – Kanuma, JAPAN
2014 Visiting Professor, East China Normal University – Shanghai, CHINA
2013 Advisory Board Member and Guest Faculty, Jiangyin Royal Piano Art – Jiangyin, CHINA
2013 Gold Note Award, Grand Forks Thursday Music Club – Grand Forks, ND
2012 Visiting Professor, Guangdon University of Foreign Study – Guangzhou, CHINA
2010 Visiting Piano Teacher, Shenzhen Yichao Music Educating Center – Shenzhen, CHINA
2011-Present University of North Dakota Music Department – Grand Forks, ND
Professor, 2024-Present
Associate Professor, 2017-2024
Assistant Professor, 2011-2017
2007-2011 DePauw University School of Music – Greencastle, IN
Assistant Professor/Staff Accompanist, 2008-2011
2000-2008 Indiana University Jacobs School of Music – Bloomington, IN
Studio Pianist for Janos Starker, 2006-2008
String Academy Staff Accompanist, 2001-2008
Adjunct Lecturer, Spring 2006 / Assistant Instructor, 2000-2005
Additional Experience
2022-Present Artistic Director / Piano Faculty, Medora Music Academy - Medora, ND
https://medora.com/musicacademy/
2022-2024 Artistic Director / Piano Faculty, Warsaw Summer Chamber Music Series - Warsaw, IN
2015-2018 Piano Faculty, Federal University of Santa Maria International Winter Festival - Vale Veneto, BRAZIL
2015-present Piano Faculty, International Music Camp in Peace Garden - Dunseith, ND
2020-2021 InterHarmony International School of Music
2020 August InterHarmony International Online Music Festival
2010 & 2011 Piano Faculty, Lamont School of Music Summer Pre-College Academy – Denver, CO
2008 June Staff Accompanist, Madison Summer Cello Institute – Madison, WI
2007 June Staff Accompanist, Round Top International Festival-Institute – Round Top, TX