Takeshi Ooi

Takashi Ooi graduated from the conducting department of Tokyo University of the Arts and completed the conducting program in that university’s graduate school. He won second prize in the Antonio Pedrotti International Conducting Competition in 2008. Ooi was Principal Conductor of the New Philharmonic Orchestra Chiba (now the Chiba Symphony Orchestra) from 2009 to 2016, as well as Conductor (2009-2013) and Resident Conductor (2013-2017) of the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra. Having served as the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra’s Resident Conductor since 2014, Ooi takes up the post of Principal Conductor in April 2024.Takashi Ooi conducts major orchestras throughout Japan. His repertoire is extremely wide- ranging, and he is passionate about making music accessible to a wide audience through activities such as concerts with spoken commentary and performances tailored for children. Ooi is a lecturer in the instrumental music (wind orchestra) department of Tokyo University of the Arts, and a visiting professor at Shobi College of Music.

(April 2024)

Takeshi Ooi has been the Resident Conductor with the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra since 2014. In April 2024, he will become the Principal Conductor.

His journey in conducting began under the tutelage of Yoko Matsuo at the age of 17. Following his graduation from the Department of Conducting at Tokyo University of the Arts, he pursued graduate studies in conducting at the same institution, under the guidance of Hiroshi Wakasugi and Hiroyuki Iwaki. The recipient of the Ataka Prize in 1996, Ooi further honed his craft through studying with James Levine, Kurt Masur, Gianluigi Gelmetti, and Isaac Karabtchevsky at prestigious summer masterclasses such us Verbier Festival and Academy, Accademia Musicale Chigiana, and Musica Rival Festival.

Ooi studied at the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra from 2007 to 2009 and won second prize at the Antonio Pedrotti International Conducting Competition in 2008. Early in his career, he served as an assistant conductor for opera productions at the Tokyo Nikikai and the New National Theatre, Tokyo, making his debut in 2002 with Debussy’s “Pelléas et Mélisande.” Beyond operas, Ooi has demonstrated his versatility by conducting various stage performances, including ballet, musicals, and collaborations with Japanese dance.

His extensive experience includes roles such as Assistant Conductor of the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra (2000-2001), Chief Conductor of the New Philharmonic Orchestra Chiba (now the Chiba Symphony Orchestra) (2009-2016), Conductor (2009-2013), and Resident Conductor of the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra (2013-2017). In addition, he conducts major orchestras throughout Japan.

Ooi’s repertoire is diverse, encompassing classical orchestral and wind band works, premieres of contemporary music, pops, and various other genres. He is passionate about making music accessible to a wide audience through concerts with talks and performances tailored for children.

In addition to his conducting endeavors, Ooi serves as a lecturer in wind band at the Department of Instrumental Music, Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts. He also holds the position of visiting professor at Shobi Music College.

(January　2024)