Yuriko Shibata

Yuriko Shibata is a pianist and musical theatre composer working between Tokyo and New York. She began studying piano at the age of three and developed a deep passion for music, storytelling, and theatre from an early age.

She graduated from Tokyo College of Music, where she studied composition, and later received her MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

Her original musical has received a workshop production Off-Broadway at the Rattlestick Theater and has been developed through several major New York development programs including NYFA City Artist Corps, NYCDA’s New Works Project, and New York Theatre Barn’s New Works Series. She was also awarded the Writers Residency Award from the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT).

Her work has been further developed through leading musical theatre writing programs in New York, including the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, and Theatre Now New York, where she continues to collaborate with writers, directors, and performers in the New York theatre community.

Alongside her work as a composer, Yuriko enjoys sharing her love of music through teaching. She offers piano and music lessons in both English and Japanese, helping students build strong musical foundations while encouraging creativity, listening skills, and confidence. Drawing from her experience in composition and theatre, she aims to inspire students to explore music not only as performers but also as creative storytellers.

Yuriko’s teaching style focuses on nurturing curiosity, creativity, and musical confidence. Rather than emphasizing memorization alone, she encourages students to understand how music works and to develop their own musical voice.

Lessons are designed to be engaging and supportive, helping students build strong fundamentals while also enjoying the process of making music. Younger students are introduced to rhythm, listening, and musical expression through playful and interactive activities.

Because of her background in composition and musical theatre, Yuriko also encourages creativity in her lessons, such as improvisation, simple composition exercises, and storytelling through music.

Her goal is to help students not only learn the piano but also develop a lifelong appreciation for music.