Hiroyuki Kurogane graduated at the top of his class from Tokyo University of the Arts, where he received the Ataka Prize and the Acanthus Music Award. He has been internationally recognized with first prize and the Grand Prix at the 4th Jeju International Brass Competition (Korea), and first prize at the 23rd Japan Wind and Percussion Competition. His mentors include Koichi Akiyama, Shinji Koga, and Stefan Schulz. Kurogane is currently the Bass Trombonist of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, and a member of the Japan XO Trombone Quartet.