Chihiro Kakishima, violinist, is a young and gifted performer from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Currently residing in Rochester, New York, Chihiro is pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Eastman School of Music under the tutelage of Renée Jolles.
Musical highlights in Michigan include concerto appearances with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra in Hill Auditorium and the Michigan Pops Orchestra. She frequently plays with a wide range of orchestras including the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Symphoria in Syracuse, and the Chautauqua Music School Festival Orchestra, of whom she also served as concertmaster. She has also been featured in festivals such as Colorado College, Sarasota, and Pacific Music Festival. As an avid chamber musician, Chihiro has been awarded the Peter Salaff Prize in Chamber Music and has been fortunate to collaborate with outstanding faculty from both the University of Michigan and the Eastman School of Music. Chihiro previously earned her Master’s degree at Eastman School of Music and Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan with a double major in violin performance and biomolecular science, as well as a minor in international studies. Her past teachers of note include Aaron Berofsky and Kathryn Votapek.
As an enthusiastic teacher, Chihiro teaches in various settings such as at the Eastman Community Music School, chamber coach and secondary lesson teacher at the University of Rochester, and her private studio. Currently, she also serves as a teaching assistant to Professor Jolles at the Eastman School of Music.