Mihoko Watanabe

Dr. Mihoko Watanabe is an internationally acclaimed flutist and educator, currently serving as Professor of Flute, Chair of the Entrepreneurial Music Certificate Program, and Woodwind Area Coordinator at Ball State University. With a rich career spanning several prestigious institutions, including the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and the University of Windsor, she has made significant contributions as both a performer and a teacher.
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Dr. Watanabe has performed extensively across the globe, appearing in Japan, Israel, Canada, and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician. She holds principal flute positions with Orchestra Indiana and has performed with orchestras such as the Indianapolis Symphony and Fort Wayne Philharmonic. A sought-after clinician, she regularly presents masterclasses and adjudicates at competitions worldwide. Her research in ethnomusicology, particularly on Japanese traditional music, has been widely published and presented at major conferences.
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Dr. Watanabe's academic credentials include degrees from the University of Michigan, Eastman School of Music, and Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo. She is also a certified mindful meditation coach, integrating mindfulness into her work with musicians and students​.
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