Ayako Kikuchi
Faculty: Violin & Viola
EDUCATION:
Roosevelt University, Chicago College of Performing Arts, MM, Violin Performance
Suzuki Method, Books 1-10
BIO:
Ayako Kikuchi a devoted educator, collaborator, and performer in the Chicago area. Ms. Kikuchi holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in violin performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University where she studied Violin Performance. Following her graduation from Roosevelt University, Ms. Kikuchi received pedagogical training from Edward Kreitman, Ann Montzka-Smelser, Nancy Jackson, and Thomas Wermuth.
Having more than 15 years of teaching experience, Ms. Kikuchi has trained and mentored young violinists who have been accepted to the concertmaster position in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, ILMEA All-State Honors Orchestra in Senior Division, ILMEA Junior Division 2nd Violin Principal, and to University of Illinois and DePauw University School of Music with full-tuition scholarship in Violin Performance.
As a performer, Ms. Kikuchi is a former associate member of the Chicago Civic Orchestra performing with various international conductors. Currently, she is actively performing as an original member of the Chicago Composers Orchestra that is dedicated to performing new orchestral music by living composers.
FAVORITE SONG:
This list can be long! One of my top favorites is “Jeux d’eau” by Maurice Ravel. In this piano work, I can literally visualize the fountain and the play of water from the pure depiction of the sound. I think it is mesmerizing that the solid keyboard/strings of the piano can sound like liquid in this composition.
