Profile/Hiroyuki Kato

1965 Born in Kyoto, Japan
Moved to Osaka
Made debut while a student in the Faculty of Economics, Kyoto University.

Took voice lessons under Professor Emeritus Tadahiko Hirano of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.
Currently taking lessons under Maestro Ubaldo Gardini who was consecutively the Guest Asistant Professor at Julliard School of Music,
NY, and the Guest Professor of Opera Course at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.
1987-1990 Lived in the USA.
Returning home, Kato made his baritone debut playing the part of Dupin in an operetta,
“Der Zigeuner Baron (Gypsy Baron)”sponsored by Osaka Philharmonic Society.
Made his specialty shift from baritone to“tenor”when he played the part of Pluto in
“Orphee Aux Enfens”sponsored by Kobe Opera Association.
Kato became a muscle strong“lirico spinto tenor”who can produce actual sound in“the voice range of three octaves”.
While Kato devotes himself to concert activities along with his attractive tenor voice, he developed his talent further for jazz piano receiving lessons from Mr. Sadayasu Fujii.
As a result, he is gathering attention from a broad range of fans as a unique singer & piano player who can freely use Jazz, Latin and Canzone vocalisms.
1992-1997 Worked closely for one of the masters of tea ceremony schools in Kyoto.
1996 Honored with the papal audience of John Paul II
Through this blessed experience and the tea ceremony spirit, he gives insight in his unique tones on the difference of Japanese and Western cultures.

Kato's strength is his wide music range from classical tenor Aria, to Canzone/Jazz singer & piano player.  Kato is uniquely positioned in the Japanese music scene as one of the few artists who can perform vocal music in full range.

Kato has a distinguished knowledge of wine.  Asked to write relevant essays from time to time, it further adorns and enriches his life.  Furthermore, joint concerts with famous Japanese sommeliers are occasionally held generating "rave reviews".

The dynamism of Kato's music produced by his big strapping physique attracts and overwhelms all listeners and audiences.

Kato, in a word, is a man who goes across and lives in varied fields of, MUSIC as a main pillar, drama, movie, academic learning, fine art, and the tea ceremony.

Contrary to the ordinary person who tends to stay with the one-dimensional sense of values, Kato freely and fully enjoys his life navigated by sensibility and talents.  The encounter with such character may give people a cue to get away from the old routine.  He can be reckoned as a multi-talented super entertainer who makes the music & art scene in the 21C.