Once a month, the village’s artist-in-residence entertains residents and guests on the piano, violin and viola, playing music ranging from baroque to pop and his own compositions.
Music patron and village resident Lyn Milne signed up Mr Kurano and joked her next role was to get him to move in full time.
Mr Kurano had performed 14 village concerts and been involved in outreach programmes in Upper Clutha schools.
He met Mrs Milne in May 2021, after his first North Island concert at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, and they co-founded the Magic Carpet Music Trust.
He had performed his Concerto Grosso of nine short pieces, his first commission from the Baroque Music Community and Educational Trust of New Zealand.
"I thought, he’s the one. I took a leap of faith," she said.
Mrs Milne has had a lifelong interest in music.
She helped young musicians in London and in New Zealand through a Commonwealth club, the Royal Overseas League.
She also organised concerts for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Auckland and has worked to connect young New Zealand musicians to audiences.
"I’m afraid I have got the bug," she said.
Mr Kurano did not need much convincing to become the village artist-in-residence.
"I had been to Wānaka before a few times and always loved it."
Playing at the village was no different from performing in a concert hall.
"As [we play] mainly classical music, the people we attract are exactly this age group. Nothing about it feels awkward or different," he said.
Mr Kurano has been teaching since he was 14. He composes, conducts and has commissioned works from other young New Zealand composers.
On top of his daily tasks he also finds time to study and recently obtained a masters degree in music from the University of Canterbury.
He will be joined by Christchurch musicians Prof Mark Menzies (violin) and Sofia Scales (voice, guitar) for two concerts in Wānaka on May 10 and 12.
