Sayako Kusaka is a Japanese-born classical violinist who serves as the First Concertmaster of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin. A prize-winning musician, she is also known for her solo, chamber music, and leadership roles in other ensembles.
Career and roles
Konzerthausorchester Berlin: Kusaka has been a member since 2008 and became First Concertmaster in March of that year.
Konzerthaus Kammerorchester Berlin: She has been the leader of this chamber orchestra since its formation in 2009.
Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra: Since 2013, she has served as "Special Guest" Concertmaster of this Tokyo-based orchestra.
Chamber music: She is a member of the Konzerthaus Quartett Berlin (since 2013) and the Streichtrio Berlin (since 2016).
Ashiya International Music Festival: Since 2021, she has been the director of this festival in her hometown.
Early life and education
Born in Ashiya, Japan, in 1979, Kusaka studied violin with Takashi Shimizu, Eduard Schmieder, and Rainer Kussmaul at universities in Tokyo, the USA, and Germany, respectively.
Awards and competitions
Kusaka's awards include first prizes at the Rodolfo Lipizer Violin Competition (2002) and the Japan Music Competition (2000). She also won a silver medal and award at the Paganini Violin Competition (2001), and third prize at the Sibelius Violin Competition (2000). She received the Critics' Association of Japan's "Best Musician of the Year" Award in 2005 and the Idemitsu Music Award in 2009.