Naomi Okuda Wooderson

Naomi Okuda Wooderson was born in Wakayama, Japan and educated in Osaka. After completing a first degree as a modern flautist Naomi began to specialise in the recorder, with further study in Japan together with attendance at Dartington and Cambridge Summer School and later the Guildhall school of Music and Drama where she studied with Pamela Thorby and privately with Piers Adams. On returning to Japan Naomi built an extensive career as a soloist, ensemble player (including performances with Bach Collegium Japan) and as a teacher.  She married harpsichord maker Andrew Wooderson and moved to the UK in 2010 since when she has continued some playing as a soloist and continued as as a teacher at Intermediate and Advanced levels both in the Japan and in the UK.

Beyond the recorder Naomi is becoming increasingly involved in harpsichord tuning and maintenance and plays a significant role in the work and running of Bexley Harpsichords Ltd, the instrument hire business run jointly with husband Andrew.

Away from music Naomi is an accomplished cook and very skilled gardener and enjoys travel. She somehow found herself volunteering to restore historical railway carriages and has developed considerable skill as a carriage painter! Naomi’s world view is informed by the quiet wisdom of Peanuts.