Midori

The violinist Midori made her historic debut at the age of 11 when she was introduced as a surprise guest artist by conductor Zubin Mehta at the New York Philharmonic's annual New Year's Eve concert in 1982. Since that night over 20 years ago, she has established a record of achievement which sets her apart as a master musician, an innovator, and a champion of the developmental potential of children.

Midori's performing schedule is balanced between recitals, chamber music performances and appearances with the world's most prestigious orchestras. Highlights of her 2007-08 season include being designated an official Messenger of Peace by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, a rare honor in recognition of Midori’s many community engagement initiatives; bringing a unique project to Lincoln Center combining the music of Takemitsu, J S Bach, and Schnittke; making her third all-new music recital tour; six trips to Europe and three to Asia; and increasing her already extensive commitment to music education as she assumes the position of Chair of the Strings Department at USC's Thornton School of Music. Among the conductors with whom Midori will collaborate in the 2007-08 season are Ludovic Morlot, Daniel Harding, Christoph Eschenbach, Sir Charles Mackerras, Hugh Wolff and Jiří Belohlávek.

In 1992 Midori founded Midori & Friends, a non-profit organization in New York which brings music education programs to thousands of underprivileged children each year. Two other organizations, Music Sharing, based in Japan, and Partners in Performance, based in the U.S., also bring music closer to the lives of people who may not otherwise have involvement with the arts. Her commitment to community collaboration and outreach extends beyond these organizations to her work with young violinists in master classes all over the world, to her University Residencies Program, to her Orchestra Residencies Program, and to her already existing positions as Jascha Heifetz Chair and co-director of the Midori Center for Community Engagement at USC.

During the 2007-08 season Midori's recording with pianist Robert McDonald of sonatas by J S Bach and Béla Bartók will be released by Sony BMG Masterworks, for whom Midori records exclusively.

Midori's violin is the 1734 Guarnerius del Gesu "ex-Huberman", which is on lifetime loan to her from the Hayashibara Foundation.