Akiko Ono

^{'My task, with people who may never have played together before and with limited rehearsal time, is to encourage confidence in articulating ideas and to work towards the highest level of music making. The 'living' performance in which a group has the ability both to react and respond in the moment is the essence of chamber music for me.'}

Akiko launched her career after winning numerous prizes in prestigious competitions including first prizes at the Menuhin, Viotti-Valsesia and Forval Scholarship Stradivarius Japan. She was also a laureate of the Concours Reine Elisabeth, Paganini and Szigeti Competition. Since then she has enjoyed performing with major orchestras including the Weimar Staatskapelle, Belgian National Orchestra, Lille National Orchestra, London Mozart Players and NHK Symphony Orchestra.

Aside from solo performances, Akiko sets great value on educational projects such as the Maiastra and Orpheus Sinfonia. In 2016, she launched a new summer violin course MusicSpace at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, in partnership with Cambridge Summer Music.

Akiko’s most recent album “Romance” with Ichiro Nodaira, featuring works including Debussy, Stravinsky, Ysaye and Wagner. The album has been highly rated by top national music publications and newspapers. 

Born in Tokyo, Akiko moved to the UK when she was 12 to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School. Subsequently she studied with Dora Schwarzberg and Michael Frischenschlager at the University of Music and performing Arts in Vienna. Akiko is a violin professor at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London and the Yehudi Menuhin School.