Chairman of the jury
Fuminori Maro Shinozaki
（Japan ）
Fuminori Maro Shinozaki began learning the violin at the age of three with his father, Eisuke Shinozaki. In 1981, he entered the Vienna City Conservatory and studied with prof. Thomas Christian. In the following year he made a concerto debut at the Vienna Konzerthaus.
In 1997, Shinozaki was appointed as concertmaster of the NHK Symphony Orchestra with whom he is currently working as specially appointed concertmaster.
Shinozaki has received numerous awards including Civic Cultural Prize from City of Kitakyushu in 1979 and Culture Prize from Fukuoka Prefecture in 2001.
As a councilor of the WHO International Academy “Life Harmony Science", Shinozaki is also involved with activities in the field of music therapy.
In 1997, Shinozaki was appointed as concertmaster of the NHK Symphony Orchestra with whom he is currently working as specially appointed concertmaster.
Shinozaki has received numerous awards including Civic Cultural Prize from City of Kitakyushu in 1979 and Culture Prize from Fukuoka Prefecture in 2001.
As a councilor of the WHO International Academy “Life Harmony Science", Shinozaki is also involved with activities in the field of music therapy.
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Shinozaki plays a 1727 Stradivari violin, kindly on loan by Music Plaza Ltd.
In April 2024, Shinozaki was appointed as Music Adviser of the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra.
In April 2024, Shinozaki was appointed as Music Adviser of the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra.
Mark Gothoni
（Finland）
Mark Gothoni is one of the leading violinists of Finland.
Recognized by Ana Chumachenco at the age of 16, he moved alone to Munich to study with her.
Later, he was invited to Chicago by Shmuel Ashkenasi, and also studied with Sándor Végh in Salzburg.
After winning the higher rank at International Johannes Brahms Competition at the age of 21 and giving his debut recital, Mark Gothoni, both as a soloist and chamber musician, has made a name for himself on all continents, North and South America, Asia, and Africa as well as Europe.
Recognized by Ana Chumachenco at the age of 16, he moved alone to Munich to study with her.
Later, he was invited to Chicago by Shmuel Ashkenasi, and also studied with Sándor Végh in Salzburg.
After winning the higher rank at International Johannes Brahms Competition at the age of 21 and giving his debut recital, Mark Gothoni, both as a soloist and chamber musician, has made a name for himself on all continents, North and South America, Asia, and Africa as well as Europe.
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In the past, among his versatile musical career, he worked as concertmaster with the Munich and Zurich Chamber Orchestras, and as Musical Director (also as concertmaster) of the European Union Chamber Orchestra.In his country, Finland, Mark Gothoni was artistic director of the "Festivo" music festival in Rauma, and he has directed the chamber music courses of the Savonlinna Music Academy, continuing to promote classical music through various approaches.
As a member of the Mozart Piano Quartet, he has released numerous CDs under exclusive contract to the MDG – Musikproduktion Dabringhaus & Grimm.
In 2018, he received the first OPUS KLASSIK Award for best chamber music.
While actively performing in the most prestigious halls – Concertgebouw, Wigmore Hall, Lincoln Center and Palau de la Música, among others – as well as at music festivals, from the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival and the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico to Kuhmo and Beethovenfest Bonn, that each country is proud of, he is passionate about teaching younger generations as professor of violin at the Berlin University of the Arts.
As a member of the Mozart Piano Quartet, he has released numerous CDs under exclusive contract to the MDG – Musikproduktion Dabringhaus & Grimm.
In 2018, he received the first OPUS KLASSIK Award for best chamber music.
While actively performing in the most prestigious halls – Concertgebouw, Wigmore Hall, Lincoln Center and Palau de la Música, among others – as well as at music festivals, from the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival and the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico to Kuhmo and Beethovenfest Bonn, that each country is proud of, he is passionate about teaching younger generations as professor of violin at the Berlin University of the Arts.
Shizuka Ishikawa
（Japan ）
Shizuka Ishikawa is a violinist who has been active worldwide, especially in Europe, for more than half a century.
She received her first violin lessons at the age of four through Talent Education, and she won in various national and international competitions. In 1970, upon graduation from junior high school, she followed Professor Marie Hlouňová, who had completed her term as a visiting professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, to Czechoslovakia where she began studying at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague in autumn of the same year.
She received her first violin lessons at the age of four through Talent Education, and she won in various national and international competitions. In 1970, upon graduation from junior high school, she followed Professor Marie Hlouňová, who had completed her term as a visiting professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, to Czechoslovakia where she began studying at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague in autumn of the same year.
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In 1973, she made her debut solo appearance with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra as a substitute for Josef Suk, and gained global attention. She won laureateships from Queen Elizabeth Competition in 1976, and in autumn of the same year, she made her Japan debut as a soloist with the Czech Philharmonic at “Czechoslovakia Music Festival,” achieving great success.
Subsequently, she has been highly acclaimed as a soloist both in Japan and abroad, and has performed with world-renowned orchestras including the Czech Philharmonic, Staatskapelle Berlin, the Gewandhaus Orchestra, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. She was also frequently invited by NHK Symphony Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, and other orchestras throughout Japan.
She has worked with more than 100 prominent conductors, including Neumann, Smetáček, Košler, and Jansons, and her repertoire includes 60 concertos for concerto alone.
While performing at various music festivals abroad, she served as a jury member for the Prague Spring International Music Competition, the Kocian Violin Competition, and the Music Competition of Japan.
Since 1997, she has been a member of the Kubelík Trio, and based in the Czeck Republic, she continues to perform solo recitals, concertos with orchestra, and chamber music, capturing the essence of music from various perspectives.
She has also focused on recordings, and released more than 40 titles of violin repertoire for various international and national labels, including the complete set of recordings of Mysliveček’s eight violin concertos released by Supraphon, for which she received the Golden Disc Award.
Subsequently, she has been highly acclaimed as a soloist both in Japan and abroad, and has performed with world-renowned orchestras including the Czech Philharmonic, Staatskapelle Berlin, the Gewandhaus Orchestra, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. She was also frequently invited by NHK Symphony Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, and other orchestras throughout Japan.
She has worked with more than 100 prominent conductors, including Neumann, Smetáček, Košler, and Jansons, and her repertoire includes 60 concertos for concerto alone.
While performing at various music festivals abroad, she served as a jury member for the Prague Spring International Music Competition, the Kocian Violin Competition, and the Music Competition of Japan.
Since 1997, she has been a member of the Kubelík Trio, and based in the Czeck Republic, she continues to perform solo recitals, concertos with orchestra, and chamber music, capturing the essence of music from various perspectives.
She has also focused on recordings, and released more than 40 titles of violin repertoire for various international and national labels, including the complete set of recordings of Mysliveček’s eight violin concertos released by Supraphon, for which she received the Golden Disc Award.
Yossif Ivanov
（Belgium）
Acclaimed as “a player of impressive authority and presence” (The Strad), and “one of the top violinists of tomorrow” (Diapason), Yossif Ivanov is a Belgian violinist.
Born in Antwerp to a family of musicians, at the age of five, he received his first violin lessons by his father, who was also a violinist, and only six months after taking up the violin, he made his first appearance on stage with the orchestra of which his father was a member. He continued his musical education with Zakhar Bron in Lübeck from the age of eight, and later with Igor and Valery Oistrakh, and Augustin Dumay.
Born in Antwerp to a family of musicians, at the age of five, he received his first violin lessons by his father, who was also a violinist, and only six months after taking up the violin, he made his first appearance on stage with the orchestra of which his father was a member. He continued his musical education with Zakhar Bron in Lübeck from the age of eight, and later with Igor and Valery Oistrakh, and Augustin Dumay.
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He quickly established himself after winning First Prize at the Montreal International Competition aged 16, and Second Prize, two years later at the Queen Elisabeth Competition.
In recent seasons Yossif Ivanov has made acclaimed debuts with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
2023-2024 season highlights include Beethoven's Triple Concerto with Mischa Maisky and the NDR Radiophilharmonie, Schumann's Quintet with Martha Argerich, chamber music performances at the Verbier Festival, as well as the recording of Paganini's 24 Caprices.
Yossif Ivanov has performed with numerous world-renowned orchestras such as London Philharmonic Orchestra.
An avid chamber musician, Yossif Ivanov has performed at the Wigmore Hall, Mozarteum Salzburg, Musikverein Vienna, Carnegie Hall, Ravinia Festival, Paris’ Cité de la Musique, Philharmonie Essen, Beethovenfest Bonn, Schloss Elmau, Evian & Montpellier Festivals, Teatro Carlo Felice Genova, Kioi Hall Tokyo, Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall.
Since 2008 he teaches at the Queen Elisabeth College of Music, as well as at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he is head of the violin department.
In recent seasons Yossif Ivanov has made acclaimed debuts with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
2023-2024 season highlights include Beethoven's Triple Concerto with Mischa Maisky and the NDR Radiophilharmonie, Schumann's Quintet with Martha Argerich, chamber music performances at the Verbier Festival, as well as the recording of Paganini's 24 Caprices.
Yossif Ivanov has performed with numerous world-renowned orchestras such as London Philharmonic Orchestra.
An avid chamber musician, Yossif Ivanov has performed at the Wigmore Hall, Mozarteum Salzburg, Musikverein Vienna, Carnegie Hall, Ravinia Festival, Paris’ Cité de la Musique, Philharmonie Essen, Beethovenfest Bonn, Schloss Elmau, Evian & Montpellier Festivals, Teatro Carlo Felice Genova, Kioi Hall Tokyo, Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall.
Since 2008 he teaches at the Queen Elisabeth College of Music, as well as at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he is head of the violin department.
Sunny Lee
（South Korea）
Sunny Lee, one of the most sought-after violinists of her generation in Korea, is currently a Chief Executive Officer of the Seoul Central Conservatory, and an Artistic director of the Ensemble M. She is also an honored professor at the Russia National Music Institute in Moscow founded by lppolitov-Ivanov, as well as faculty member at the Yewon School, and Seoul Arts High School in Korea.
After graduating from Seoul National University, she continued her studies at the University of Washington, and received Doctorate of Musical Art. Sunny became the last student of Issac Stern, one of the most renowned violinists of all time.
After graduating from Seoul National University, she continued her studies at the University of Washington, and received Doctorate of Musical Art. Sunny became the last student of Issac Stern, one of the most renowned violinists of all time.
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Sunny Lee has been performing actively both as a soloist and a leader of ensemble M. She performed as a soloist with many orchestras including Korean Chamber Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra, New Tokyo Chamber Orchestra, Beijing Orchestra, Jeunesse Musicales World Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Mozart Orchestra, Orchestra of the Swan in UK, Bayreuth Festival Chamber Orchestra, and Romania Constanza Philharmonic Orchestra.
She was invited to be on the jury at the Tchaikovsky International Competition for young artists, the 19th Khachaturian 120th Anniversary International Violin Competition and others. As a renowned teacher both domestic and abroad, Sunny Lee was invited as a professor to many international music festivals such as the Summit Music Festival and Marrowstone Music Festival in the US, the Issac Stern Music Festival in Japan, the Isaac Stern Carnegie Hall workshop in the US, the Varna International Music Festival in Bulgaria, Myoko String Seminar in Japan, Music Festival Zell Am See, and SCC violin Festival. Also she has passionately contributed teaching talented young violinists who are distinguished both in national and international competitions.
She was invited to be on the jury at the Tchaikovsky International Competition for young artists, the 19th Khachaturian 120th Anniversary International Violin Competition and others. As a renowned teacher both domestic and abroad, Sunny Lee was invited as a professor to many international music festivals such as the Summit Music Festival and Marrowstone Music Festival in the US, the Issac Stern Music Festival in Japan, the Isaac Stern Carnegie Hall workshop in the US, the Varna International Music Festival in Bulgaria, Myoko String Seminar in Japan, Music Festival Zell Am See, and SCC violin Festival. Also she has passionately contributed teaching talented young violinists who are distinguished both in national and international competitions.
Kota Nagahara
（Japan）
Kota Nagahara began violin lessons at the age of 5, and he entered Tokyo University of the Arts. He studied abroad at the Juilliard School on a full scholarship, which he received while attending Tokyo University of the Arts.
After winning prizes in various national and international competitions from his early childhood, he was awarded the youngest winner at the age of 17 in the 67th Japan Music Competition, and he was also awarded the Leucadia Award, the Sumi Award, and the Kuroyanagi Award.
He performed as a soloist with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra at the age of 12. Since then, he performed with Japan's foremost professional orchestras and many distinguished conductors including Seiji Ozawa, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, and Gerhard Bosse.
After winning prizes in various national and international competitions from his early childhood, he was awarded the youngest winner at the age of 17 in the 67th Japan Music Competition, and he was also awarded the Leucadia Award, the Sumi Award, and the Kuroyanagi Award.
He performed as a soloist with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra at the age of 12. Since then, he performed with Japan's foremost professional orchestras and many distinguished conductors including Seiji Ozawa, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, and Gerhard Bosse.
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He received favorable comments for the performances at music festivals throughout Japan. He was also invited to various music festivals abroad to perform in recitals, concertos, chamber music concerts, gaining high acclaim.
He was invited as a soloist and a guest concertmaster for the Hannover NDR Radio Symphony Orchestra in Germany and his performances were well-received.
He performed with numerous prestigious conductors as the concertmaster of Saito Kinen Orchestra, Tokyo Spring Music Festival, and Ravenna Music Festival commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Italy, among others.
Furthermore, He is active in volunteering through music, holding many charity concerts such as "Prayer for Peace for 60 Years of the Atomic Bomb”
There have been a lot of featured articles and interviews with him in music magazines as well as newspapers. With the request for a contribution to "Akebono" published by the Society of Saint Paul, his message for peace was published in the magazine. He has thus worked actively in various fields.
He received numerous awards, including the Fukushima Award from Tokyo University of the Arts, the Sakuya Konohana Award from Osaka City, the Hiroshima Culture Award New Face Award, the 21st Nippon Steel Music Award Fresh Artist Award, and the Energia Music Award.
After working as a guest principal concertmaster and later a principal concertmaster of Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, he is currently a concertmaster of the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, while active as a soloist and chamber musician both in Japan and other countries.
He also teaches younger generations, such as serving as a part-time lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts, Soai University, and Senzoku Gakuen University, and as a lecturer at various seminars.
He studied under Naoko Murakami, Machie Oguri, Chihiro Kudo, Kazuki Sawa, Robert Mann.
He was invited as a soloist and a guest concertmaster for the Hannover NDR Radio Symphony Orchestra in Germany and his performances were well-received.
He performed with numerous prestigious conductors as the concertmaster of Saito Kinen Orchestra, Tokyo Spring Music Festival, and Ravenna Music Festival commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Italy, among others.
Furthermore, He is active in volunteering through music, holding many charity concerts such as "Prayer for Peace for 60 Years of the Atomic Bomb”
There have been a lot of featured articles and interviews with him in music magazines as well as newspapers. With the request for a contribution to "Akebono" published by the Society of Saint Paul, his message for peace was published in the magazine. He has thus worked actively in various fields.
He received numerous awards, including the Fukushima Award from Tokyo University of the Arts, the Sakuya Konohana Award from Osaka City, the Hiroshima Culture Award New Face Award, the 21st Nippon Steel Music Award Fresh Artist Award, and the Energia Music Award.
After working as a guest principal concertmaster and later a principal concertmaster of Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, he is currently a concertmaster of the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, while active as a soloist and chamber musician both in Japan and other countries.
He also teaches younger generations, such as serving as a part-time lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts, Soai University, and Senzoku Gakuen University, and as a lecturer at various seminars.
He studied under Naoko Murakami, Machie Oguri, Chihiro Kudo, Kazuki Sawa, Robert Mann.
Itzhak Rashkovsky
（Ukraine / Israel）
Itzhak Rashkovsky is an internationally renowned Ukrainian-Israeli violinist and pedagogue. He was awarded a master's degree by the Samuel Rubin Israeli Academy of Music, Tel Aviv, where he studied with Professor Yair Kless. He has appeared as a soloist and chamber music player in many countries.
As Professor of Violin at the Royal College of Music, London, Itzhak Rashkovsky has come to be one of the leading and most sought-after teachers in England. His students, who come from all over the world to study with him, have been winners of many national and international competitions.
As Professor of Violin at the Royal College of Music, London, Itzhak Rashkovsky has come to be one of the leading and most sought-after teachers in England. His students, who come from all over the world to study with him, have been winners of many national and international competitions.
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He has given masterclasses in Europe, Israel, China, Japan, Canada, and the United States and has been a juror at numerous international competitions, notably Vice Chairman of the jury of the 12th Henryk Wieniawski, Poland and Sion Valais, Switzerland, Yampolsky, Russia, Lipizer, Italy and Hanover, Germany, International Violin Competitions.
Itzhak Rashkovsky is one of the founders and Music Director of the Keshet Eilon Violin Mastercourse, Israel, an international summer programme for exceptionally talented young violinists, located in Kibbutz Eilon, as well as founder and Artistic Director of the London Music Masters. His articles and editions of violin pieces were published by “The Strad” magazine. In 1998, in recognition of his outstanding services to music, Itzhak Rashkovsky was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Music by HM King Charles Ⅲ (HRH The Prince of Wales, at the time).
Itzhak Rashkovsky is one of the founders and Music Director of the Keshet Eilon Violin Mastercourse, Israel, an international summer programme for exceptionally talented young violinists, located in Kibbutz Eilon, as well as founder and Artistic Director of the London Music Masters. His articles and editions of violin pieces were published by “The Strad” magazine. In 1998, in recognition of his outstanding services to music, Itzhak Rashkovsky was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Music by HM King Charles Ⅲ (HRH The Prince of Wales, at the time).