Has received numerous awards that include first in the 88th Music Competition of Japan, the Leucadia, Sumi and Kuroyanagi Awards, second in the 30th International Johannes Brahms Competition held in Austria and third in the Ysaÿe International Music Competition 2025 held in Belgium. Has performed as a soloist together with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Gunma Symphony Orchestra, Osaka Symphony Orchestra, EURO Symphony SFK and other orchestras in Japan and abroad. Has also garnered acclaim for his recitals and chamber music performances and has frequently performed alongside renowned musicians within and outside Japan. Has served as Concert Master at the “Minatomirai Series: the 400th Subscription Concert” by the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Ryusuke Numajiri, one in the series of guest performances he has made as Concert Master or Assistant Concert Master with major Japanese orchestras that include the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Aichi Chamber Orchestra, and Osaka Symphony Orchestra. Actively engaged in a wide range of performance activities that include solo, chamber music and orchestral work. Graduated top of his class from the Toho Gakuen School of Music’s Music Department. Subsequently completed the master’s program offered at that college’s Graduate School of Music. Currently enrolled in postgraduate program at the Mozarteum University Salzburg, where he studies under Rainer Schmidt. Previously studied under Akiko Tatsumi and Chihiro Morikawa. 2018–2019 scholarship student of the Aoyama Music Foundation and 2021–2022 scholarship student of the ROHM Music Foundation. Received the 13th Tokiko Iwaya Foundation for Youth Award, the 2024 Tsuzuki Sports and Culture Award held in Tsuzuki Ward, Yokohama City, and the Culture and Arts Encouragement Award of the 2025 Yokohama Cultural Award. Has been the subject of a special feature on noted young musicians on the “Door to the Future! Concert by a New Star” segment on “Untitled Concert” on tv asahi. Performed the protagonist’s music in the NHK E-Tele anime series “Ao no Orchestra.” Served as the presenter for OTTAVA’s “Ryota Higashi: Capriccioso Musica” and has also made numerous media appearances that include NHK E-Tele’s “Classic TV,” NHK BS’s “Classic Club” and NHK-FM’s “Recital Passio” and “Best of Classic.” Released his major debut album titled “Piacere: A Collection of Violin Pieces,” released by Universal Music, which was recognized with the Classical Prize of the 16th CD Shop Grand Prize in 2024. Plays an 1831 G.F. Pressenda loaned to him by an anonymous owner through Bunkyo Gakki Co., Ltd. Official website: https://www.ryotahigashi.com

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