Quartetto Soleil (String Quartet)

Formed in 2004 while studying at Tokyo University of the Arts.

• Special Prize at the 7th Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition (recipient of the Lower Saxony International Summer Academy Award).
• Received the Excellence Award at the 24th Risonare Chamber Music Seminar.

Participated in the Beethoven Academy in Berlin, Germany; Toyama Chamber Music Festival; Project Q Chapters 7 & 8; Affinis Academy Project 2013, among others.

In addition to performing at NHK-FM Chiba Classic Salon, Ayase Geijutsu Saien, Ueno Gakuen Ishibashi Memorial Hall Lunchtime Concert, Atrion Music Hall 25th Anniversary Gala Concert, Iwaki Alios Chamber Music Festival Gala Concert Vol. 3, Suntory Hall Chamber Music Garden, etc., they are actively engaged in outreach activities throughout Japan.

Salvia Hall Resident Artist for 2012. Second-term Fellow of the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Academy. Santomyuze Resident Artist for 2014.

• 1st Violin / Ryo Takamiyagi
• 2nd Violin / Kanako Higashiyama
• Viola / Taiki Suzumura
• Cello / Yoko Ota

1st Violin / Ryo Takamiyagi

Began playing the violin at age 4. Received 1st Prize at the 56th and 60th All Japan Student Music Competition, Fukuoka Tournament. Awarded 3rd Prize at the 14th Japan Classical Music Competition, National Tournament. Received the IMA Music Award at Ishikawa Music Academy 2008. Awarded the Grand Prix at the 15th Okiden Sugar Hall New Artist Concert Audition, leading to a performance with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra in Sweden, conducted by Hideya Ohkatsu. Performed at Toho Gakuen School of Music Students' Concert. Finalist at the 12th Tokyo Music Competition. Performed with the Ryukyu Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Naoto Otomo, at their 27th Subscription Concert. Studied violin under Tetsuo Takamiyagi, Junko Yabiku, Koichiro Harada, and Michiko Kamiya. Currently a third-term Fellow of the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Academy.

2nd Violin / Kanako Higashiyama

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Began playing the violin at age 4.

Graduated from Kitakamakura Girls' Gakuen High School, Music Department, and Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Music.

Finalist at the 57th All Japan Student Music Competition, Tokyo Tournament; Award winner at the 13th Japan Classical Music Competition.

Studied under Mihoko Takigawa, Minako Inagaki, Kosaku Yamaoka, Midori Yamaoka, Hitoshi Maezawa, and Takashi Shimizu.

Performed with Akira Wakabayashi, Carmina Quartet, Quartet Excelsior, and Radek Baborák.

Currently active in various fields, including solo, chamber music, and orchestral performances, as well as artist support and recording.

Viola / Taiki Suzumura

Graduated from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Graduate School. Studied viola under Nobuo Okada. Participated in Project Q, Miyazaki International Music Festival, etc. Received 1st Prize in the String Instrument Division at the 3rd Yokohama International Music Competition. Received 1st Prize at the Yamate-no-Oka Music Competition, along with the Yokohama Lions Club Award and the F Group Award; 3rd Prize at the 9th Tokyo Music Competition.

Cello / Yoko Ota

Born in Nagano Prefecture. Began playing the cello at age 6.

Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Music, after attending the Music High School attached to the Faculty of Music. Received the Encouragement Award at the 2000 Sapporo Junior Cello Competition, and 2nd Prize in the String Instrument Division at the 2001 Nagano International Competition. Participated in the Salzburg Festival, YBP Music Festival, Beethoven Academy, etc.

Studied under Tetsuo Shohara, Károly Botvay, Fumiaki Kono, and Kaoru Hanazaki. Currently active in solo, chamber music, and orchestral performances, and also teaches at PTNA chamber music courses, instructing younger generations.