Shima Kobayashi Melvin

Shima Kobayashi is a concert artist redefining the chromatic harmonica through the lens of classical tradition and contemporary inquiry. A protégée of the legendary Tommy Reilly MBE, she blends a rare artistic lineage with a virtuosic command that has seen her champion the concertos of Malcolm Arnold and Robert Farnon on the national stage. Based in the UK, Shima’s work explores the instrument’s profound physical connection to the human voice, transforming the “overlooked” into a medium of exquisite, unexpected beauty.

After becoming the winner of the World Harmonica Championships in 1995, Shima studied chromatic harmonica with Tommy Reilly in the UK under the Japanese Government Overseas Study Programme for Artists. She has given concerts throughout Japan and internationally and has released the solo albums ‘Golden Girl’ and ‘Chromatic!’ on the Japanese FONTEC label (both now available for streaming). 

Shima moved to the UK in 2004. During the period 2008-2015, she embarked on a new period of academic study, gaining a BAHons degree in Social Sciences with Psychology (Open University) and a Professional Practice Certificate in Kodály Music Education (University of Roehampton). Shima then returned to musical activity with a renewed passion for performing and with a fresh focus on music education. 

Her repertoire includes classical harmonica works written since 1950, including chamber music as well as larger works such as harmonica concertos. She is passionate to create new works for the harmonica in collaboration with contemporary composers. She explores further creative possibilities of music making as a member of the London-based improvising music collective ‘Orchestra New’.  

In 2022, Shima performed M. Spivakovsky’s Harmonica Concerto as soloist with the Misbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, recital in Japan, including music written by her for Oscar Wilde’s story ‘The Happy Prince’. 2024: Recital in Japan and Norway. 2025: Soloist for R.Farnon’s harmonica and Orchestra work ‘Prelude and Dance’.

She is active in giving tuition, workshops and seminars to people of all ages to increase involvement in playing the harmonica and in sharing the undiscovered charm of chromatic harmonica music with the next generation of musicians. Shima has been one of the supporting artists for the Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities. 

In March 2025, Shima developed a cross-cultural charity event with her piano colleague Midori (as SuperDuo), in aid of the earthquake stricken region of Suzu, Japan. Experimenting to connect UK and Japan by bringing local community of the both country together through music, food and fundrasing.