Born in 2011 in Japan, Himari has been described as a once in a generation talent. She has captured the attention of the classical music world with her incredible technique, her playful and imaginative interpretations, and her ability to communicate an emotional depth; all from the unique and refreshing perspective of a young artist. Himari is one of the youngest ever applicants at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she studies with renowned teacher Ida Kavafian.
In the 2024/25 season, Himari will make her European debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker performing Wieniawski Violin Concerto No.1 with Zubin Mehta. She will also make her debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra in their New Year’s Eve concert with Marin Alsop at the Kimmel Center Verizon Hall performing three pieces: Kreisler ‘La Gitana’, Waxman ‘Carmen Fantasie’, and Gardel/Williams ‘Por una cabeza’. In Japan, Himari will appear with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, and Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, and she will perform Sibelius’ Violin Concerto as soloist on tour with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. In addition, she will embark on a recital tour of Japan with pianists Yoshitaka Suzuki and Akiko Mimata.
Since making her orchestral soloist debut at the age of six, Himari has worked with orchestras such as the NHK Symphony Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, and Gunma Symphony Orchestra, among others. Himari has performed recitals across the United States, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Ukraine, and Japan.
Himari has won top prizes at several international competitions, including the International Competition for Young Violinists in Honor of Karol Lipinski and Henryk Wieniawski, the 12th Arthur Grumiaux International Violin Competition (Belgium), the 26th Andrea Postacchini International Violin Competition (Italy), the 20th Schelkunchik International Music Competition (Russia), and the Kogan International Violin Competition (Belgium). In 2019, she participated in the Internationale Sommer Akademie Mozarteum Salzburg. She was the youngest participant in the academy’s concert at the 2019 Salzburg Festival and received an award for her performance. Himari won the audience prize at the ‘Mini Violini 2023’ held as part of the Montreal International Violin Competition.
Himari began her violin studies at the age of three under the tutelage of Koichiro Harada and Machie Oguri. Himari plays the 1717 “Hamma” Stradivarius Violin on generous loan from Mr. Yusaku Maezawa. Her bow is on loan from the Munetsugu Collection.
2024/25 Season
Please note: Biographies are based on information provided to the CSO by the artists or their representatives. More current information may be available on websites of the artists or their management.
