Born in Japan and educated in the United States, Akira Mori is currently Director of Orchestral Studies and Assistant Professor at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa (U.S.A.). His previous conducting engagements include Tokyo Symphony, Tokyo Chamber Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, and others. He has professionally conducted in countries such as Japan, U.S.A, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Argentina. Mori is winner of the Hideo Saito Award from Tokyo International Music Competition Conducting Contest, and 3rd Prize and Best Concerto Accompanying Award from Dinu Niculescu International Competition in Romania. Akira Mori is equally active in the teaching field and has been a professor and conductor in music schools at Indiana University, University of Minnesota, Louisiana State University and Tokyo College of Music, among others. His recordings can be heard on Japan Victor.