Arakawa was born in Hawaii in December 1959 and grew up in the state. She studied piano while growing up in Honolulu and, as an 11-year-old sixth grader, performed in youth concerts in front of thousands of first and second graders at the Honolulu International Center Concert Hall, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported in 1971.

Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 63, were found dead Wednesday in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home, authorities confirmed to HuffPost. One of the couple’s dogs also died.