Masao TANIBE
  - Guitar

Born in Nagoya. Received early musical education at the age of four. Started learning guitar from his father at the age of seven; then studied under Yasuo Sakai and Yoshiaki Kamata. Continued studies under Robert Aussel at the Cologne University of Music in Germany from 1999 and graduated with top honors. Studied classical music, contemporary music, and musical phenomenology under Konrad Junghänel, Paulo Alvares, and Han An Liu, respectively. Went on to study under Andreas von Wangenheim at University of Music Karlsruhe and completed the Konzertexamen (Concert Exam).

Won first place at the 1988 Classical Guitar Competition and top position at the Tokyo International Guitar Competition in 1995 while attending the University of Tokyo. Won awards at various competitions: First place at the 2004 Guitar Festival Gevelsberg, top honors at the 2005 International Guitar Competition “José Tomás,” first place at the 2006 International Guitar Competition “Norba Caesarina,” second place and special audience favorite award at the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition.

Masao Tanibe made his U.S. debut at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 2005. Receiving a standing ovation from an audience of 2,000 listeners, his performance with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in New York in 2006 was a great success. The concert was broadcast over the radio nationwide in the United States and throughout the entire EU region. He has given many performances with orchestras of such countries as Germany, the United States, Spain, Montenegro, Brazil, and Japan. He has been invited to perform at music festivals in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia , including the Festival of Guitars of the World in Argentina, and held recitals there. His performances have also been broadcast over WDR (West German Broadcasting), RAE (International Service of Argentine Radio), WNED (Western New York Public Broadcasting), and other broadcasting stations.

During his South America tour, Tanibe performed the South American premier of Hikaru Hayashi’s guitar concerto titled “Northern Sail” as part of celebratory events commemorating the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Brazil. In 2010, he released his debut CD titled “Acentuado” from ALM RECORDS. The CD received high acclaim from Record Geijutsu Magazine, the Yomiuri Shimbun, and various other media. Having moved his base of operations to Japan in 2011, Tanibe has been actively performing in this country, appearing on NHK Meikyoku Recital and giving recitals at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall and Munetsugu Hall (Nagoya).In 2013, he received the Nagoya Music Pen Club Award.