A native of Japan, flutist Mana Washio has been freelancing in the Boston area since 1999. She received her performance degrees from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (B.M.), the Oberlin Conservatory (A.D.), and the Boston University School for the Arts (M.M.). Ms. Washio currently plays principal flute with the New England Philharmonic and the Neponset Valley Philharmonic Orchestra. She also plays with the Boston Lyric Opera as a substitute. She played principal flute with the Metropolitan Wind Symphony (1999-2005), and she is a former member of the Massachusetts Wind Orchestra. In addition, Mana Washio actively performs in various chamber music ensembles: flute & guitar, flute & harp, flute & marimba, woodwind quintet and many others.