Kenichi Kiyama

Violin, Viola

Kenichi Kiyama is a California-born violinist who loves performing and teaching. He started the violin at the age of 9 through the music program at his elementary school. Realizing his passion for music, he started private lessons a year later and has never stopped. Kenichi was the concertmaster of several honor groups during his precollege years. He was the prize winner of MTAC Concerto Competition, Saddleback Concerto Competition, and SCP Concerto Competition. Kenichi received his BM from CSULB where he studied with Henry Gronnier, Director of Colburn Academy. He was the concertmaster of his university’s orchestra and was a member of the university’s elite string quartet. He was the featured violinist in several projects including NEOJIBA collaboration concert, Covington Concert Series, and the recording artist for several animated short films that received millions of views and awards for best picture.

After CSULB, Kenichi moved to Chicago, attending Roosevelt University to receive his Master’s in Classical Performance and Performance Diploma where he studied with Mrs. Almita Vamos. During his time in Chicago, he performed as a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and other local/midwestern professional orchestras such as Minnesota Orchestra, Elgin Symphony and Rockford Symphony. He was also the featured violinist for a segment in the Ear Taxi Festival, a new music festival.

Kenichi has been teaching violin and viola for about a decade to students of all ages and abilities. He enjoys watching his students accomplish their musical goals. He will stop at nothing to exhaust all possible ways to help your student succeed at their instrument. Kenichi has a background in martial arts and in physical wellness making his approach to both the violin and viola a more physically “harmonious” one.

On his own spare time, Kenichi loves learning new things, enjoys nature walks, exploring new places, eating good food with good company, and sleeping.