Junko Nagai is a native of Japan. She is the Suzuki Piano Dept Head Emerita and Creative Director. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of Byron Janis and Ruth Laredo, where she graduated with numerous awards including the Best Chamber Music Award. She is a winner of Yamaha Piano Competition, and has televised and radio broadcasted concerto performances with the Abilene Symphony and Manhattan School of Music Symphony as a winner of the Concerto Competition. Master classes with Paul Badura Skoda, Rafael Trio, and faculties from the Leningrad Conservatory. Performed at the Metropolitan Museum, Steinway Hall, and Donnel Library Hall. Participated in Nice International Music Festival and Flaine International Music Festival in France. Recipient of Steinway Teacher’s award 2023.