MIHO SAEGUSA

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Violinist Miho Saegusa, a versatile chamber musician and orchestral leader, has built a multifaceted career that allows her to cherish the spirit of collaboration. Her passion for chamber music was ignited and nurtured through memorable summers at the Marlboro Music Festival, Ravinia Steans Institute, and Music@Menlo as well as on tours with Musicians from Marlboro. During these summers she had the opportunity to collaborate with venerated musicians such as Mitsuko Uchida, Richard Goode, Arnold Steinhardt, David Soyer, and Miriam Fried. 

In addition to chamber music, Miho loves the energy and intimacy of chamber orchestras. She is a member of the celebrated Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and currently is serving as one of its three Artistic Directors. For five seasons she was Concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and since 2001 is a member of IRIS Orchestra, where she has held the Isaac Stern Concertmaster Chair on numerous occasions. In addition, Miho has been a guest with A Far Cry, East Coast Chamber Orchestra, and NOVUS. 

Miho has been featured as soloist with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, IRIS Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, Aspen Concert Orchestra, Juilliard Orchestra, and the Yale Symphony Orchestra. As the first recipient of the Aspen Music Festival and School's Dorothy DeLay Fellowship, Miho performed in the Festival's memorial tribute to Miss DeLay with the Aspen Chamber Symphony and conductor David Zinman. Additional honors include prizes at the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Auditions, Wieniawski­-Lipinski International Competition, Yehudi Menuhin International Competition, Juilliard Concerto Competition, and Yale University's William Waite Competition. Miho is a Music Scholarship Award recipient from the Japanese American Association of New York.

Born in Kitakyushu, Japan, Miho has played the violin since the age of five. She is very grateful to her principal teachers Masao Kawasaki and Dorothy DeLay for their generosity and for encouraging curiosity. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, and completed graduate work at The Juilliard School, earning her Master of Music and Artist Diploma. When not playing the violin, Miho can be found wandering around farmers’ markets or exploring restaurants recommended by friends.