Mieko Kanno studied with Yirah Neaman at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and acheived outstanding success in international violin competitions, including third prize in the 1986 London Carl Flesch Competition. In 1994 Mieko was awarded the Darmstadt Kranichsteiner Musikpreis.

As a leading exponent of contemporary music, she has performed in many festivals in Europe, including the ISCM World Music Days, and her performances have been widely broadcast. She plays a Giovanni Grancino violin dating from 1700.