Ms. Ryoko Takei is a soprano, arts manager, and business executive whose career spans opera, arts education, and corporate leadership. Formerly Professor of Voice & Arts Management and Vice-President (University Planning) at Ferris University, she has also held positions at institutions including McKinsey & Company, Walt Disney Japan, and Globis University.

In arts management, Ms. Takei serves as General Director of the nonprofit Sogakukai General Association, producing numerous opera and concert events, including projects supported by Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

Her initiatives in supporting artists during the COVID-19 pandemic were featured in major media such as the Nikkei.

Ms. Takei is also dedicated to training the next generation of opera singers and pianists through the Tokyo International Vocal Arts Academy (TIVAA), which she established over a decade ago. Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and conducted under the patronage of the Embassy of the United States of America, TIVAA's annual workshops, held in collaboration with co-founders and experts such as Music Director of the Moores Opera Center, Jorge Parodi, and Metropolitan Opera assistant conductor Howard Watkins, provide rigorous, American-style Young Artist Programs for emerging talent, many of whom now perform in Japan and internationally.

Ms. Takei also served as Direttorice Esecutiva for MICA Opera's Japan-oriented programming at the Montefeltro Festival in Italy from 2022 to 2025, succeeding Mika Shigematsu in the role, where she was a former participant under Mika's direction.

As an award-winning opera singer, Ms. Takei is a member of Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation and the Japan Federation of Musicians. Her roles have included Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Mimì in La Bohème, the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland by Makiko Kinoshita, and Rosita in Christophorus by Franz Schreker. In New York's Opera as Drama, her portrayal of Desdemona in Otello was praised by Sherrill Milnes.

In concert, her performances include the role of Brünnhilde in the Wagner Grand Gala Concert conducted by Christian Hammer, appearances at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and annual invitations to perform at the "La Folle Journée TOKYO" concert series in Marunouchi for seven consecutive years.

In her broader business career, Ms. Takei served in various marketing roles including Marketing Manager for the FIFA World Cup 2002 Korea/Japan office. She currently serves as a director of Yanmar Holdings and independent outside director of Roland Corporation, and is a co-founder of Musiculture LLC, a cultural business consulting firm. She frequently speaks as a panelist and moderator at international conferences such as Ad:tech Tokyo, Adobe Summit, Dreamforce, and CIC's Venture Café.

Ms. Takei's unique dual career as an opera singer and marketer has been highlighted by Nikkei Woman and METI Journal, among other media. As an Official Columnist for Forbes JAPAN Web and a Pro Picker on NewsPicks, she shares insights with an audience of over 33,000 followers on topics related to culture and marketing. Her book, Introduction to Practical Marketing, received the Japan Society for Persuasion and Negotiation Award.

Ms. Takei received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Tokyo, her MBA from Columbia Business School, and her PhD in Arts Management from Showa University of Music.