Faculty Profile: Risa Ohsawa

Introduction

Meet Risa Ohsawa, a lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Department of Early Childhood Education at Kawasaki Gakuen University. With a passion for music education, Risa is dedicated to inspiring young minds and fostering a love for music in her students.

Biographical Information

Risa Ohsawa, also known as Osawa Lisa or OSAWA Risa, is a renowned music educator and researcher in the field of early childhood music education.

Academic Background

Risa holds a doctoral degree in music education from Kunitachi College of Music. Her academic expertise lies in piano performance, music education, and expressive education.

Research Interests

Risa’s research focuses on piano performance studies, music education, and expressive education. Her work explores the intersection of music and education, with a particular emphasis on early childhood music education.

Publications

Risa has published numerous papers and books on music education and expressive education, including:

• “Expression Education Project: Creating Stage and Puppet Shows for Children” Practice Collection (co-authored), Showa Women’s University Press, 2023
• “Toward a comprehensive study of the five areas of childcare content in teacher training schools: through the practice of production assignments” (co-author), Bulletin of the Institute for Contemporary Education, Showa Women’s University, No. 9, pp.111-119, 2024
• “Verification of the deepening of learning in expressive education (4) – Through the production of the puppet play “Sakura no Yume” and the release of the video” (co-author), Bulletin of the Institute of Contemporary Education, Showa Women’s University, No. 8, pp. 60-80, 2023
• “Diversity of reception and the process of development in 5-year-old children’s acoustic music experiences: Through a survey and research on the cultural and artistic experience program “Musica” for young children” (co-author), Bulletin of the Institute for Contemporary Education, Showa Women’s University, No. 8, pp. 60-80, 2023
• “On the editing of Clara Schumann’s scores and the ‘educational edition’: Issues surrounding the Clara Schumann edition” (single author), Gakuen Showa Women’s University Bulletin, No. 930, pp. 50-66, 2022
• “Remote Piano Lessons in Childcare Training Schools: Practice and Challenges – 2020 Music Practical II Questionnaire Survey Report” (Single author), Bulletin of Hosen University of Child Education, Vol. 12, pp.71-77, 2020
• “Issues in the Selection of Versions in Robert Schumann’s Revised Piano Works: Performance Traditions and Possibilities for Contemporary Pianists” Doctoral Thesis, Kunitachi College of Music, 2020
• “Pianists’ Choice of Versions in Revised Works of Robert Schumann: Using the Example of Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13,” Music Research, Annual Report of the Graduate School of the National College of Music, Vol. 31, pp. 247-257, 2019

Professional Memberships and Activities

Risa is an active member of several professional organizations, including:

• Musicological Society of Japan
• Japan Society for Music Education
• Japanese Society of Music Expression

She has also served as a judge for various music competitions, including the Japan Classical Music Competition and the Kawasaki Piano Competition.

Teaching Philosophy

Risa believes that music has the power to transcend words and connect people’s hearts. Through her teaching, she aims to inspire her students to develop their musical sensibilities and explore the world of music.

Office Hours

Risa’s office hours are Monday, 12:50-14:20.