Tamami Honma

Tamami Honma is a Music Faculty Lecturer at Stanford University’s Department of Music, College of Arts and Sciences. She is a distinguished pianist, soloist, collaborative performer, conductor, and recording artist, renowned for her insightful interpretations and powerful performances. Honma’s work includes premiering compositions by leading contemporary composers such as Anatolijus Senderovas, Sadie Harrison, John McCabe, and Osvaldas Balauskas at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall and Wigmore Hall. Notably, she performed the world premiere of Luis Andrei Cobo’s Piano Concerto with the Cambrian Symphony, which was honored as ‘Best of the Bay’ by SF Classical Voice. She also leads a private teaching studio and founded/directs the Cal Arte Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra.

Education: Honma earned her Bachelor’s in Piano Performance at the Manhattan School of Music under Byron Janis—a direct student of Vladimir Horowitz—and later received her Master’s Degree from the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she also studied with Christopher Elton. She was awarded an honorary ARAM degree from the Royal Academy of Music.

Research Interests: Her artistic focus centers on classical piano performance, particularly Beethoven’s complete 35 Sonatas, which she recorded in 2024. Critics highlight her ability to convey lyrical warmth and dramatic contrasts in works like the ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Funeral March’ Sonatas. She actively promotes contemporary music through premieres of newly composed concertos and collaborates extensively with orchestras, including performances of Ferruccio Busoni’s monumental piano concerto, a rarely performed piece.

Awards: Honma has been a recipient of grand and first prizes in numerous national and international competitions. Her honorary ARAM degree and ‘Best of the Bay’ recognition underscore her contributions to classical music. She also pioneered the world premiere of Cobo’s concerto, celebrated for its innovation.

Advising & Grants: While no formal grants are listed, Honma’s private studio has produced award-winning students, reflecting her dedication to music education. She also leads the Cal Arte Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra, fostering collaborative performance opportunities.

Labs & Teams: As founder and director of the Cal Arte Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra, Honma curates projects that blend traditional and contemporary repertoire, emphasizing interdisciplinary artistic expression.