BIO

Akiko Kojima is a professional violinist, experienced teacher, and a loving mother to a 10-year-old boy.

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Akiko started taking violin lessons just before she turned 5 years old. By the time she was 15 years old, she had performed as a soloist with the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra and with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as the winner of a young performers competition.

In addition to completing a degree in psychology at the University of Toronto, Akiko completed her undergraduate degree in music performance at the University of Toronto with Leo Wigdorchik, a member of the Toronto Symphony, as recipient of the Lorand Fenyves String Scholarship.

Akiko continued with her Master of Music and Professional Studies Diploma at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Ian Swensen and her chamber music coach Mark Sokol. At SFCM, She received the String and Piano Chamber Music and Strings Departmental Honors Award, the Milton Salkind Scholarship and the Chamber Music Graduate Assistantship.

Akiko won her first professional audition with the Monterey Symphony while in her second year of her Master’s degree. She went on to win positions in the Marin Symphony, California Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra and Santa Cruz Symphony.

Akiko performs regularly as a member of these orchestras, and as a regular substitute with Santa Rosa Symphony.