Shirasaki was born September 16, 1969,[1] and started classical piano lessons at age 5; she was also intrigued by her father's jazz trumpet-playing.
She began her professional career at the age of twelve by playing gigs in her family's band at the "J" jazz club in Tokyo.
[2] Shirasaki moved to New York City in 1997 to pursue a master's degree at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Kenny Barron.
[4] In August 2003 the Japanese indie label What's New Records released her debut trio CD "Existence" (Lewis Nash on drums, Marco Panascia on bass) in Japan.
[9][10] After taking parental leave she continued her career with a performance at the 1st International Jazz Solo Piano Festival 2009 in Germany.