Kenichi Kiyama is a California-born versatile violinist who loves performing and teaching. He started the violin at the late 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 has a vast musical range. As a orchestral musician, Kenichi was the assistant principal of Dana Point Symphony during his precollege years. In his university years, he served as concertmaster and principal for traditional and opera orchestras. He recently was a member of Civic Orchestra of Chicago. In his native California, Kenichi has performed for Parkening International Guitar Competition, San Luis Obispo Symphony and Opera Neo Summer Festival. He also has performed with midwestern professional orchestras including Minnesota Orchestra, Elgin Symphony, Elmhurst Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic, and Rockford Symphony. In his orchestral experience, Kenichi was able to learn from and perform with various orchestral giants including Ricardo Mutti, Ken David-Masur, Sarah Hicks, Thomas Wilkins, Robert Chen, Carl St. Claire, Mei Ann Chen, and more.

As a soloist, Kenichi was the prize winner of MTAC Concerto Competition, Saddleback Concerto Competition, and SCP Concerto Competition which allowed him to perform Lalo Symphony Espagnole and Mendelssohn Violin Concerto as a soloist with orchestra. He was one of the youngest winners in the instrumental category of the Dramatic Allied Arts Guild Scholarship in his 2nd year of college. He was the featured soloist in the Covington Concert Series and several animated short films, Croaked and Bruised, that received millions of views and awards for best picture. He was the recording artist for CCPA’s composition competition for pre-college artists. Most recently, He performed the entire collection of Brahms Violins Sonatas for recital at Roosevelt University.

As a chamber musician/collaborative artist, Kenichi is active in performing variety of styles of music. He was a member of his university’s elite string quartet in undergrad. He has performed with Midori in collaboration with NEOJIBA. He re-debuted Ralph Shapey’s Piano Trio No. 1 for the Ear Taxi Festival in 2021. He also has performed with non-classical artists such as Vladimir Cetkar, Jeremy Cohen, Jeans ‘n Classics, and Nestor Torres to name a few. He regularly performs alongside the faculty and students of Columbia College for performances in new music and film score. He also joins forces with Northwestern University for early music performances and other various events at the Kellogg Business School. Kenichi just recently commissioned a violin sonata written by Sebastian Huydts, chair of CCC Composition.

Kenichi received his BM from CSULB where he studied with Henry Gronnier, Chair of String Department of Colburn School. After CSULB, Kenichi moved to Chicago to attend Roosevelt University where he receive his Master’s and Performance Diploma in Classical Performance where he studied with Mrs. Almita Vamos.

Kenichi is the owner of Kiyama Bodyworks LLC which utilizes a new bodywork modality, Sotai-Ho, that helps clients out of pain and moving freer by utilizing small movement, partnered exercises that help re-balance the entire neuromuscular system. He has a large musician and athlete base. Learn more about he can help you here