We are delighted to have violinist Ikuko Kanda serving as this season’s concertmaster of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra! Get to know a little about her before you see her leading the orchestra at our next concert on January 20th.
Q: Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
A: I grew up near Tokyo, Japan in a city called Kawagoe. I came to the US when I was 22 and now I live in Gilbert, Arizona.
Q: When did you start playing violin and, when did you realize you wanted to do this professionally?
A: I come from a musical family. I started playing violin when I was 4 years old. Dad was a high school music teacher, Mom played piano, and my grandfather was a piano tuner who played harmonica and guitar. When I was about 10, I loved listening to various violin concertos everyday and I probably drove my family crazy. Although I didn’t want to practice sometimes as a kid, I think I wanted to play violin professionally without realizing it.
Q: What has it been like joining the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra this season?
A: It’s been wonderful! I’ve been surrounded by great people, great programs, and, most of all, great support from the audience.
Q: What else you are up to outside of FSO?
A: I give violin and viola lessons, mostly to middle school and high school kids, but I have taught students ages 3 to 87. I also sub with the Phoenix Symphony and enjoy chamber music whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Q: Any fun hobbies or quirks you want to share about yourself?
A: My husband and I love cooking new and exciting meals together. I also love hanging out with our cats, Luckie and Bonny.
Q: What is your favorite concert or piece performed of the season, or that you are looking forward to performing, and why?
A: That’s a hard question, as I’ve enjoyed the diverse programming this season. The Rachmaninoff was very memorable, but I’m looking forward to playing Mendelssohn’s “A Midnight Night’s Dream” in February as this is only the second time I’ve played the work in its entirety.
