About Us
Husband and wife organ duo Kiyo and Chiemi Watanabe have appeared by invitation at premier events in both the U.S. and abroad, including organ festivals at Spreckels Organ Pavillion in Balboa Park, San Diego, California (1993, 1995, 2000, and 2004), and Iglesia Catedral in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico (1996 and 2000). In 2003, the talented couple performed three concerts in Japan.
Kiyo Watanabe
Award-winning organist and respected composer Kiyo Watanabe is acclaimed as a performer throughout the U.S. and abroad for his comprehensive musicianship, technical prowess and skilled interpretations. A native of Tokyo, Japan, he has received the 1990 Claire Coci Award and the 1991 Bronson Ragan Award from Manhattan School of Music.
Also a respected composer of music for organ, flute, piano, handbells, and choir, Kiyo counts among his credits publication of his works by Abingdon, Alfred, GIA, Harold Flammer, Hope, and Laurendale Associates.
Kiyo holds a bachelor’s degree in organ performance from Baylor University and a master’s degree in organ performance and a doctor of musical arts degree from Manhattan School of Music. Kiyo has served as the organist at First United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas since November 1996.
Chiemi Watanabe
Chiemi Yamada Watanabe is recipient of the Bronson Ragan Award for Excellence in Organ Performance. Native of Aichi, Japan, she has appeared in solo performances on many of New York’s most historic organs, including those at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.
Chiemi has studied with some of America’s premiere organ teachers, including John Weaver at The Juilliard School and McNeil Robinson at Manhattan School of Music, with additional study under Joyce Jones. Chiemi and her husband, Kiyo have served as guest organ professors at Baylor University, where, by invitation, they taught Joyce Jones’ students while she was on sabbatical leave.
Chiemi holds a master of music degree in organ performance from Manhattan School of Music and a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Kwansei Gakuin University in Hyogo, Japan. She serves today as organist/music director at Floral Heights United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas.
[written by Pati Haworth]