Rieko Tanaka was born in Shizuoka, Japan. Her passion for the piano began when she started formal lessons at age three. She has distinguished herself as a classical pianist and jazz musician. She can play anything, including blues, rock, and the American Songbook. She has a special love for the music of George and Ira Gershwin.

Ms. Tanaka received her Bachelor of Music in Piano from Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, Japan. She came to the United States in 1989 to earn her Master of Music degree from New England Conservatory, where she was chosen as a concerto soloist for the Commencement Concert. She earned her Artist Diploma from Longy School of Music, where she was awarded a Special Achievement Award. She also studied with world renowned pianist Sequeira Costa at the University of Kansas.

Ms. Tanaka has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras including the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Suruga Philharmonic Orchestra, and KU Symphony. She has been an active chamber music player, playing with distinguished players such as Asako Urushihara, Christopher Wellington, and Kanako Ito.

She was a founding member of the Follen Angels, a group that specializes in cabaret, jazz, American standards, and the early years of rock and roll. As a member of the Angels, she performed frequently in the Greater Boston area. Rieko performed with the Follen Angels on WGBH and WICN, and performed at Scullers Jazz Club, Danny's Skylight Room in New York, the Center for Arts in Natick, and many other venues in Greater Boston area. A former member of the faculty at UMass Dartmouth, Ms. Tanaka currently teaches at the Winchester Community Music School.

Rieko lives on Mystic Street with her husband, Paul Schlichtman, and their cat, Meekay.