Kanae Kushima graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts and further studied at the New National Theatre Opera Studio. She also studied in Milan on a grant from the Agency for Cultural Affairs. She is the first prize winner of the 54th Student Music Concours of Japan, and of the HIMES Competition. In 2005, Kushima was invited to perform “Die Zauberflöte” at the new national theatre in Athens and appeared in 15 performances. She made her debut at the New National Theatre in Tokyo by performing as the shepherd boy in “Tosca.” Kushima has participated in various productions and performed roles including Frasquita in “Carmen,” Giannetta in “L'Elisir d'Amore,” Susanna and Barbarina in “Le nozze di Figaro,” an Esquire in “Parsifal,” and Papagena in “Die Zauberflöte.” She has gained high praise for her performances with overseas casts. In recent years, her performance as Norina in “Don Pasquale” displayed a new facet, garnering even broader recognition. In 2007, she was selected as Papagena in the Nikikai production of “Die Zauberflöte,” and she performed the same role in 2015 under the direction of Amon Miyamoto. In the same year, she charmed audiences with her performance at the HTB Asahi Silvester Concert. Her other performances include Adele and Ida in “Die Fledermaus,” Despina in "Cosi fan tutte" with the Suntory Hall Opera Academy, and Juliette in “Die tote Stadt” at Biwako Hall. Kushima is a member of Nikikai. Since her first appearance at PMF in 2013, she has served as MC in the PMF Link Up Concert every year. At PMF 2014, she performed multiple roles including Najade in the Stage Opera “Ariadne auf Naxos.” This is her ninth appearance at PMF.

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