Celebrating Success!

Northern Lights is thrilled to highlight our distinguished alum, Rino Yoshimoto (NLMF 2016 & 2018), who has just been awarded Second Prize at the 58th Premio Paganini International Violin Competition in Genoa, Italy (Oct 14–26, 2025)

A Growing List of International Honors

Ms. Yoshimoto , born in Kobe in 2003, has been steadily gaining recognition on the world stage. Her recent Paganini prize adds to a series of notable accomplishments:

• Second Prize – Fritz Kreisler International Violin Competition (2022)
• Prizewinner – Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition (2020)
• Prizewinner – International Johannes Brahms Competition (2017–2019)
• Prizewinner – 16th Padua International Music Competition “Premio Città di Padova” (2018)

An Artist on the World Stage

Ms. Yoshimoto made her solo debuts at Carnegie Hall and the Wiener Konzerthaus in 2019, launching an international career that quickly gained momentum. She has performed with orchestras across Japan, China, Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, the United States, and Italy.

A scholarship recipient of the Rohm Music Foundation (2020–2021), she studied with Professor Michael Frischenschlager at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts until 2023, and then Professor Augustin Dumay at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium. Currently Ms. Yoshimoto is studying chamber music class at Queen Elisabeth as a member of Shiki quartet, under the guidance of Prof. Miguel da Silva , Corina Belcia and Jean-Claude van den Eyden

Ms. Yoshimoto performs on the “Muntz” Stradivarius (1736), generously loaned to her by the Nippon Music Foundation — one of the rarest and most coveted instruments in the world. She has also been granted an additional private scholarship from an anonymous donor, further supporting her artistic growth.

These achievements underscore her artistic depth and her growing stature among the next generation of prominent violinists.

A Proud Moment for Northern Lights

Rino’s success reflects the mission and spirit of the Northern Lights Music Festival: to support young musicians, nurture extraordinary talent, and offer pathways that help launch meaningful artistic careers. Her accomplishments continue to inspire our community, our faculty, and the promising new artists who join our programs each year.