VC ARTIST

Violin MINAMI

Born On June 24, 1998

Born in Japan

United States

Violin 1716 Stradivarius “Booth”

Bow D. Peccatte

Education

New England Conservatory | Toho Gakuen School of Music | Tokyo College of Music | Kronberg Academy

Teachers

Miriam Fried, Koichiro Harad, Kyoko Takezawa, Mihaela Martin

Notable awards/competitions won

6th prize winner at the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Competition | 3rd prize and the special prize of “Best performance of Classical Concerto” at the 2022 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis | Laureate at the 2021 Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition | 3rd prize winner at 2016 Concours Musical International de Montréal | Prize winner at the 2015 Sibelius International Competition | 1st prize winner at 2014 The Music Competition of Japan | 2019 “Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant Award” | 2016 “7th Tokiko Iwatani Award Foundation for Youth” | 2015 “3rd Arion-Toho Music Award “

VC Artist and Violinist MINAMI is one of the most promising young violinists in Japan. She is currently performing on a 1716 Stradivarius “Booth”, generously on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation.

MINAMI was awarded the 6th prize winner at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2024, 3rd prize and the special prize of “Best performance of Classical Concerto” at the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis in 2022. In addition to this, she received numerous prizes in various competitions, such as a Laureate at the Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition in 2021, 3rd prize winner at Concours Musical International de Montréal in 2016, a prize winner at the Sibelius International Competition in 2015, and 1st prize winner at The Music Competition of Japan in 2014. MINAMI has received the following music awards for her musicality: the “Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant Award” in 2019, the “7th Tokiko Iwatani Award Foundation for Youth” in 2016, and “3rd Arion-Toho Music Award “ in 2015.

At the age of 12, MINAMI debuted with the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra and has continued to be featured with orchestras including the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, East Coast Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra Miami, Belgian National Orchestra, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Wallonie Royal Chamber Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra (Taiwan Philharmonic), Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, and more.

Born in Nara, a traditional ancient city, MINAMI began violin at the age of 5. After graduating from Toho Gakuen Music High School, she received her Bachelor of Music, and Master of Music as the recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship at the New England Conservatory where she studied with Miriam Fried. She received her Artist Diploma at the Toho Gakuen School of Music and at the Tokyo College of Music, where she studied with Koichiro Harad and Kyoko Takezawa. From October 2024, she will continue her studies at Kronberg Academy Professional Studies with Mihaela Martin.

MINAMI’s festival participation includes the Ravinia Steans Music Institute by Ravinia Festival, the Taipei Music Festival and Academy, and the Ishikawa Music Academy, all on a full scholarship.

In addition to her scholarships, she has received support as a recipient of the Tan Family Education Foundation, the ROHM Music Foundation, and the Ezoe Memorial Recruit Foundation.

What are your hobbies outside of music?

Sleeping and cooking!

If you were not a musician, what profession do you feel you’d be doing now?

Probably a make-up artist.

What would your dream gig be?

I know it's impossible in this era, but it would be so great if there was a gig where no one judges the music, the performers and audiences just purely enjoy the music!

What is a song that makes you turn the radio up?

Schumann Piano Quintet!

What would you say makes you unique as a musician?

This may be a very abstract answer, but I think that everything I experience in my life is an inspiration for my music. For example, the color of the sunset, the morning dew, a casual conversation with a friend, etc. Every little experience is a great inspiration and brings my color and uniqueness to my music.

Do you keep all 3 meals phone-free?

Yes, absolutely. I may take pictures of the food to begin with, but during the meal I enjoy the food and the conversation with those around me. My usage of social media is not that much. I don't have a problem without them, but I use them because they are useful.