media creator

Ayako Higurashi-Kekola

I am still an active euphonium player (not quite at the "former" stage yet).
I graduated from the euphonium major at Kunitachi college of Music in 2010.
In 2013, I came to Finland to study at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, and graduated with honors in 2018.
I have since lived in Finland.

While studying abroad, I performed with Finnish orchestras and also taught at local music schools.
From 2019 to 2022, I worked as a euphonium player in the Helsinki Police Band.

In 2023, I decided to change careers to learn more about the world.

In 2024, I started studying media at the vocational school Keuda in Finland. 
At the same time, I bought a 35mm film camera from a neighbor in a nearby town for a low price, and got back into photography after a long break. This sparked my interest in becoming a photographer.
Currently, in 2025, I’m interning in the media production department at the same school.
I am involved in various areas such as photography, video creation, multi-camera work, live broadcasts for companies, and sports video work, steadily improving my skills.

In 2025, I will also be serving as an event photographer assistant at Lieksa Brass Week (planned).

I am also planning to update my website, "AyakoMedia," which features interviews with Finnish and Japan-based musicians, once things settle down.

My areas of interest are wide-ranging, from portrait photography of performers, event and concert photography, sports photography, product photography, wedding photos, and video creation — in short, I am a versatile budding photographer.
I speak Japanese, English, and Finnish.

Feel free to contact me!

Photo by Markku Vesanen