Mika Nishimura is an award recipient of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE). Mika is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. She has performed with various jazz groups at prestigious venues such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., The Appel Room and Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Costa Rica International Jazz Festival in San Jose, Costa Rica, NJPAC ( New Jersey Performing Arts Center ) and traveled throughout Central America where she showcased her compositions and facilitated clinics. Mika was also selected and participated in the annual Siena Jazz Festival in Siena, Italy.

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As a resident of New York City, Mika is highly sought after for studio work and live performances. She actively performs at Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Apollo Theater. In addition to jazz, her deep love for gospel music has led her to perform for the HIFA Harare International Festival of the Arts and participated in gospel tours throughout Italy. Sharing her love of music and enthusiasm to kids, young and old adults have played a significant role in her growth as an educator. Mika is on faculty for Jazz at Lincoln Center's Education programs and Fordham University. Currently she is an accompanist for Carnegie Hall Music Educators Workshop and NYU Jazz Choir.