Naoko Sakai was born in Nagoya, Japan and studied at HiroshimaUniversity, the Hochschule für Musik in Detmold, Germany and at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy.

Her principal teachers included Prof.Karl-Heinz Bloemeke and Gianluigi Gelmetti. Ms Sakai was awarded the “Dirigierstipendium der Bergischen Symphoniker”, and as a result was appointed assistant conductor of the Bergische Symphoniker in Solingen, Germany under music director Peter Kuhn for the 2012/13 season.

She will conduct the orchestra in about 20 concerts and opera performances this year. In addition, Naoko Sakai has also been Principal Conductor of Concertino Detmold (Germany) since September 2009.

Sakai’s conducting has gained the attention of audiences, critics and musicians alike. She has worked with the Bergische Symphoniker, WDR Rundfunkorchester, Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie, Nordwestdeutschen Philharmonie, Westsächsischen Symphonieorchester, Landestheater Detmold, Nordharzer Städtebundtheaters in Halberstadt, Kammerorchester Hannover, BM Duna Symphoniy Orchester Budapest, and the Sofia Festival Orchestra (Bulgaria).

 Sakai will lead the Bergische Symphoniker in Guiseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto” in performances at Theater Solingen in April 2013.

5.Apr.13 EK8