Kenji Soejima

Born in Saga Prefecture. In 1977, they graduated from the Instrumental Music Department, Clarinet Major, at the National University of Music. They studied clarinet under Masaki Sakaguchi and the late Kazuhiko Ikematsu. Immediately after graduation, they joined the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra. In 1979, they became a member of the Miyagi (Sendai) Philharmonic Orchestra. In June 1986, they performed W.A. Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622 with the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra in Towada, Aomori Prefecture, and again in September 1992 in Iwadeyama, Miyagi Prefecture. In 1986, they performed as part of the Yokohama Clarinet Ensemble at the International Clarinet Congress in Seattle, USA. In August 1994, they participated in the Affinis Seminar in Iida, Nagano Prefecture, where they received guidance from Gregory Smith of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In April 1996, they held a recital at Izmity 21. After retiring from the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra in March 2014 after 35 years of service, they now focus on teaching the next generation, solo and chamber music performances, and wind ensemble coaching. They are currently a Specially Appointed Professor at the Faculty of Arts, Music Department, Miyagi Gakuin Women's University.