Airi Yoshioka is a renowned classical music artist who has made a name for herself as a violinist, chamber musician, and educator. Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1979, Yoshioka began playing the violin at the age of three. Her parents, both professional musicians, recognized her talent early on and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Yoshioka's early training was rigorous and demanding. She studied with some of the most respected violin teachers in Japan, including Toshiya Eto and Koichiro Harada. At the age of 12, she won first prize in the Japan National Music Competition, which marked the beginning of her career as a soloist. In 1995, Yoshioka moved to the United States to study at the Juilliard School in New York City. There, she studied with Dorothy DeLay, one of the most influential violin teachers of the 20th century. Under DeLay's guidance, Yoshioka honed her technique and developed a deep understanding of the music she played. Yoshioka's talent and hard work paid off when she won the Juilliard Concerto Competition in 1998. This prestigious award gave her the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Juilliard Orchestra, which was conducted by James DePreist. After graduating from Juilliard, Yoshioka continued to perform as a soloist and chamber musician. She has appeared with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed at major music festivals, such as the Marlboro Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival. In addition to her work as a performer, Yoshioka is also a dedicated educator. She has taught at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and the University of Memphis. She is currently a professor of violin at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Throughout her career, Yoshioka has received numerous awards and accolades. In 2000, she won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, which led to her debut recital at Carnegie Hall. She has also been a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, the S&R Washington Award, and the Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant. Yoshioka's recordings have received critical acclaim. Her album, "Bach: The Complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin," was praised by The Strad magazine as "a recording of exceptional quality." Her album, "American Vernacular: New Music for Violin and Piano," was named one of the top classical recordings of 2015 by The New York Times. Yoshioka's repertoire is diverse and includes works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Bartok, as well as contemporary composers such as John Adams and Philip Glass. She is known for her expressive playing and her ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music she performs. In addition to her solo work, Yoshioka is also a member of the New York-based chamber ensemble, Trio Solisti. The group, which also includes pianist Jon Klibonoff and cellist Alexis Pia Gerlach, has been praised for its "soulful, richly communicative performances" by The New York Times. Yoshioka's dedication to her craft and her passion for music have made her one of the most respected classical music artists of her generation. Her performances continue to inspire audiences around the world, and her work as an educator ensures that future generations of musicians will benefit from her knowledge and expertise.

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