Mao Ito

Biography

Mao Ito was born in Tokyo and has learned the violin from the age of 3 at Toho Gakuen Music Class for Children. And has been performing on many stages nationally and internationally since she was in Tokyo Metropolitan Arts and Music High School, and Tokyo College of Music.

At the age of 18, completion of Professor Alberto Martini's master class at Vicenza Music Conservatory. Recommended by Associatione Italio and chosen to be a Japanese representative participant and concerto soloist for Italia International Festival and performed Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in World heritage Teatro Olimpico.

At the age of 20, completion of Professor Mark Gothoni's master class at International Music Academy Pablo Casals and being chosen, performed Schubert's string quartet at Festival Pablo Casals de Prades in France.

At the age of 21, received the scholarship from Tokyo College of Music to participate in Bayerische Landesjugend Orchester which joined New Year Concerts under the baton of Jonathan Nott in Munich and Berlin.

Also, completion of Professor Kyoko Hashimoto's master class, performed Shostakovich Piano Trio in Kirchberg International Festival.

At the age of 22, was awarded the Excellence Award at a rookie performer audition of Nerima Ward in Tokyo and performed Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with Tokyo Philharmonic orchestra as a soloist.

At the age of 23~24, received the recommendation from Tokyo College of Music, took public lessons of Professor Lucie Robert, Professor Boris Davidovich Belkin, Professor Leon Spieler, Lorenz Nasturica-Herschcowici.

At the age of 24, completion of Aleksey Semenenko's master class at Internationale Musik Akademie Anton Rubinstein in Germany.

Also, performed Japanese composers scores of contemporary as Tokyo College of Music representatives at Rachmaninoff hall of Moscow Conservatory.

And, appeared on famous TV(NHK) programs and the radio programs of classical music.

At the age of 25, held a recital concert at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan Federation of Musicians, performed R. Shutraus and Brahms's violin sonatas, etc., and received great acclaim and popularity.

Also, Wieniawski's Faust Fantasia uploaded has been distributed on the Schloss Academy's welcome day "CLASSIC @ HOME BEE250VEN".

She received Grand Prix Crystal Muse Award in Japanese Orchestral Percussion Solo Contest for Junior and Senior High School Students. And received Second place and Hyogo Prefecture Arts Cultural Association Award in Kobe International Competition, and many other awards.

Currently, graduated from Tokyo College of Music with the second prize. Learned in the same graduate school. Studied the violin under Professor Yasuko Otani, Professor Yoshio Unno, Professor Asako Urushihara, Professor Mayuko Kamio, Professor Leon Spieler and Professor Mark Gothoni.

She has been outreach playing since her teens to many kindergartens, schools and elderly housings. And donates from concert proceeds to the Japanese Red Cross Society to support medical professionals from 2020.