Asa was born in Tokyo and raised in New York where she started violin at the age of 4. She took a bachelor's degree from Toho-Gakuen University.

With the scholarship from Rohm Music Foundation, she continued her study at Mozarteum University in Salzburg with Igor Ozim and graduated as a "Ausgezeichnet" (Premier Prix) with a master's degree. She was a concertmaster in both Toho and Mozarteum. She has been taught solo techniques by Ohi Resnick, Junko Edo, Tsugio Tokunaga, and Igor Ozim and string quartet by Hagen Quartett.

She was awarded with a Raiffeisen-Classic-Prize ('05 Salzburg), Menuhin-Memorial-Federation-Prize, Rudolf Matz International String Competition ('06 Croatia), Tchaikovsky Trio Competition ('12 Japan), etc.

IvryGitlis, the legendary violinist, has highly admired Asa's musicianship. The Maestro invited her to the concert "IvryGitlis and his wonderful friends" in 2006, and described her as "a lovely violinist full of talent, musicality and a true and sincere artist who deserves all the attention and encouragement." The concert was immediately featured at the cover page of String, one of the expertised music magazines in Japan.

She was invited as a soloist by Jeaner Phil (Germany), Saint Petersburg Symphony Orchestra (Russia), Kiev Symphony Orchestra(Ukraine), Harikov Symphony Orchestra(Ukraine), Marienbad Symphony Orchestra (Czech Republic), Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra (Croatia), and Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka.

She has been invited to play as a guest concertmaster or equivalent principals by New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, Shizuoka Symphony Orchestra etc.

She currently leads IlluminArt Philharmonic Orchestra as the permanent concertmaster. Her solo performance at Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherazade in the orchestra's concert tour to China in 2018 - 2019 obtained outstanding reviews praising her distinctive virtuosity.

She led as a concertmaster of Tokyo Mitaka Philharmonia opera project at Biwako Hall in 2017 to perform Bellini's "Norma" for which was awarded by the National Agency for Cultural Affairs.

In 2017, she had an honor to play for Her Majesty the Empress of Japan, and received praise from Her Majesty after the performance.

Recognised as an established chamber music player, Asa was invited to play in the string quartet concert with Peter Wachter (former principal violinist of Wiener Philharmoniker/Wiener Staatsoper), Matthew Hunter (violist of Berliner Philharmoniker), and Ricardo Bru (cellist of Wiener Volksoper).

She has been a regular at numerous music festivals, including Miyazaki International Music Festival, Rohm Music Festival (chamber music concerts), Karuizawa International Music Festival, Concerts for young, talented musicians at Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto (currently Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival), Seiji Ozawa Music Academy's Opera Project, Saito Kinen Chamber Music Academy, and Beppu Argerich Music Festival (chamber music concerts).

Her solo CD 'Asa Cantabile' released in 2011 was ranked as 'highly recommended' by Japan's leading music critique magazine The Record Geijutsu.

(As of September, 2020)

A Dedication to Miss Asa Nakajima

It is my pleasure, and honor, to write these few words concerning Miss Asa Nakajima, Who is a lovely violinist, full of talent, musicality, and a true and sincere artist, and who deserves all the attention and encouragement on gives her. Her participation in any musical event can only enhance its value and stature.

Ivry Gitlis


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