About Risa
Risa Michelle Sekine
Risa Michelle Sekine is currently in her fourth year at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, studying on a full scholarship under the tutelage of Nathaniel Vallois and Oliver Wille.
During her time in Birmingham, besides various Conservatoire projects, Risa has led the orchestra playing in the Birmingham Hippodrome's home grown youth production of West Side Story, as well as played in the "Swan Lake Dreams" project alongside dancers and musicians of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. She has also played in the CBSO Youth Orchestra- leading the 2nd Violin section in the 2018 course- as well as led the Orchestra of Solihull Schools in Concert as part of one of the many outreach projects she has participated in. She recently played in the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Strings Orchestra led by violinist Dmitry Sitkovetsky. In 2018, Risa was accepted onto the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Training Scheme, in which she attended eight rehearsals with the CBSO as a Tutti Second Violin member. Risa has also played in masterclasses with Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Daniele Gaede, Bin Huang, Sachika Mizuno, Professor John Gilbert, and Linus Roth.
Having been brought up in a musical family in Tokyo, she started playing the violin when she was three years old. She has previously won the Kamakura Music Club prize and has been a finalist in multiple competitions including the Japan Player’s Competition, Kanagawa Music Concour and Japan Classical Music Competition. In 2012, she joined the Senzoku College of Music Junior Department where she studied with Sugino Kobayashi, and completed the course in 2016. During her time on the course, she was a part of the Senzoku Junior Orchestra and was a leader for the ensemble in the years 2013 to 2015. She has been a part of various chamber ensembles and orchestras in both Tokyo and Birmingham, which has shaped her love of ensemble playing. She has attended various music festivals including the Kawaguchiko Violin Seminar and the YEK Ensemble Academy.
Next year, Risa will be undertaking a Masters course at the Royal College of Music in London.
Risa is a young and upcoming musician who is able to provide music for various events and functions, as well as give one-to-one teaching or lead workshops for school children.
Music for Functions
Risa regularly plays for events including but not limited to weddings, birthday parties, and other ceremonial functions. She is able to play as a solo performer (with a backing track) as well as a part of string duo, trio or quartet.
Risa is able to quickly fulfil requests on the spot and is able to cover a wide range of repertoire for your event.
Please inquire here for further details.
Teaching/Outreach
Risa has experience in teaching a wide range of students for the past 5 years.
She has experience teaching children and adults of all ages and ability. She teaches privately and in schools , and has experience in leading workshops. Risa offers one-to-one as well as group tuition for violin.
Risa uses a range of methods and books including the Suzuki method, Colourstrings and Fiddle Time for teaching, in order to tailor each individual lesson to each student's needs. Risa focuses on basic technique, posture and musical interpretation in her lessons.
Please inquire here for further details.
