Naoko Tajima

Biography

Naoko Tajima was born in Japan and entered The Juilliard School Pre-College in 2005. She has been heard in venues such as the Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, Japan Society, The Musik-und Kongresshalle in Lübeck. She was invited to perform a solo recital at the Bargemusic and Naoko also played for Pope Benedict XVI at the United Nations. 

Naoko was the winner of the Juilliard Soloist Concerto Competition and performed with the Juilliard Orchestra. She received the Commencement Award for her superior ability in violin performance, orchestra, chamber music, and academic subjects. In the same year, she was the winner of the Classical Violin in the YoungArts Foundation. Naoko won first prizes in international competitions such as New York International Music Competition, LISMA International Competition, and Romania International Music Competition. In 2020, Naoko received grand prize, 1st prize, as well as Perry special award at the Shimoda International Music Competition and won 1st prize at the Moscow International Music Competition.

Naoko has been selected for competitions such as the Queen Elizabeth Competition, Internationaler Musikwettbewerb der ARD, Bartok International Violin Competition, Zhuhai Mozart International Competition, Singapore International Violin Competition, Seoul International Music Competition, Heifetz International Violin Competition, Ysaye International Music Competition, Harbin International Music Competition, Hannover International Violin Competition. In 2018, she was chosen for MMCJ by Maestro Gilbert and Maestro Otomo and gave concerts in Minatomirai Hall as well as Kioi Hall. Naoko was invited for a concert tour in Japan, between Hokkaido and Tokyo, which she performed throughout Japan, including in the Rokkatei Concert Hall. Naoko received her Bachelor of Music Degree in 2018 as a full scholarship student at The Juilliard School and received her Master of Music Degree in May 2020 as an honored student with a full scholarship at The Juilliard School under Professor Donald Weilerstein and Professor Li Lin.