We asked Ryoko a few questions about herself and her thoughts about joining Camerata.

We are excited to welcome you to Camerata! How do you feel about joining as an Artistic Associate at Camerata?

I am grateful for the opportunity to join this ensemble as an Artistic Associate, and I am certainly looking forward to expanding my musical journey with Camerata. As I have recently moved to Australia, I am excited to meet and work with the musicians here as well as to connect with the audience through Camerata’s performances.

Why did you choose music as your career and how did you find violin to be your instrument?

Violin has been a part of my life before I even knew (I was only three years old when I started!), and over the years music has become the most transparent way for me to communicate to the world around me. I often feel that words are never enough to express myself, however, I find music gives a pathway for me to show who I am and how I feel. I have never played other instruments besides the violin, therefore, rather than ‘choosing’ violin to be my instrument, I believe that violin helped me find myself.

What are some of your favourite pieces of music?

This is the hardest question, which has been asked so many times in my life as a violinist, and I must admit it is still difficult to answer after 20 years of performing and teaching experience. However, if I really have to choose one, it would be Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin. This extravagant work for us violinists certainly live through our lives – the piece shows the player’s personality, and the interpretation reflects one’s emotion and experience in different stages of life. I hear differently every time I play or listen to this piece, and it makes me realise how music and our lives around music are closely related.

Tell us about your experience of joining Camerata and what do you think about Camerata being an unconducted Orchestra

Although I have only played in Camerata on two different occasions so far, I feel a strong connection and sense of community among the players and the administrative team, which allows everyone to do their best to take Camerata to the next level. Since my professional career has always been more chamber music focused where each player of the ensemble has to be sensible in order to bring the best possible experience from the music we produce, I appreciate the musicianship with and without words between the players, which Camerata values.

Which concert at Camerata are you most looking forward to this year?

I am excited for all upcoming Camerata concerts with such diverse repertoire. Each program includes works by living composers, which I find as a fantastic opportunity for both the players and the audience to experience extended possibilities of Classical Music. I strongly believe that we musicians have an important role to deliver the works of those who live in the same world as us today because their work can be completed only when it is played and delivered to the audience.