BIO

The Full Story

The first time Midori Ataka saw the pipe organ was when she walked into a college chapel at the age of twenty. Coming from a country where only 1% of the population are Christians, 56-rank and 4-manual Van Daalan organ took her breath away. Since then she has always loved organ music.

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Midori is a doctoral candidate in organ at Peabody Conservatory where she serves as Conservatory Accompanist and administrative assistant in the Admissions Office of Peabody. In addition, she acts as the board of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Currently she works as a sub organist, playing at several churches including the Shrine of the Little Flower Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Calvary Catholic Church, Saint Philip and James Roman Catholic Church, and St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

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As an organist and collaborative musician, Midori has performed at several locations including Zion Church of the City of Baltimore,  St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, St. Ignatius Catholic Church, and St. John's Episcopal in Chevy Chase. She recently performed at National City Christian Church in Washington DC in March, 2023. 

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Originally from Kobe, Japan, Midori earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Northwestern College, and a Master of Music as well as Graduate Performance Diploma from Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. Her teachers include Dr. Rodney Jiskoot, Dr. John Walker, and Dr. Daniel Aune. When not practicing, she takes joy in walking. Midori is known for her Japanese fried chicken and Yakisoba (a well-loved street food).