Only five times in history, the ARD international music competition has awarded the first prize for piano trios. Aoi Trio won this prestigious first prize in 2018, which made a breathtaking start to their international career. Based in Germany, the trio is highly regarded for pioneering the world of the classic piano trio repertoire while championing rarely performed music by Japanese composers. “Aoi” not only refers to the initials of their individual family names, but is also the name of a flower in Japan that symbolizes aspiration and fruitfulness.

Mahalo to our Classical Music sponsors for the 2024/25 Season: Kate Bell & Tom Blackburn, Carl & Marilyn Bernhardt, Michael & Ruth Bernstone, Carol & Clive Davies, Fred Dosher & Carol Greenwell, Marsha & Tom Kerley, Bob & Nancy Male, Sara Nealy & Lars Borg, John C. Ryan, Niel Thomas & Hermine Baker, and Michael F. Thompson