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Nikki Routman Ebisu, violin
Violinist Dr. Nikki (Routman) Ebisu enjoys a distinguished career as a teacher, performer, and clinician. Her passion for music has led to a global career, featuring collaborative chamber music and orchestral performances across Europe, the USA, and Asia. Recognized as the '2022 Teacher of the Year' by the Hawaii Music Teachers Association, she is in high demand as a Japanese bilingual violin instructor and for being among the remaining few who studied directly under Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, the founder of the Suzuki Method.
As the owner of Violin Artistry Studio in Honolulu, Dr. Ebisu specializes in providing violin education for students aged 3 and up, catering to beginners through advanced levels. In Hawaii, she has performed with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Honolulu Symphony, Maui Pops Orchestra, Hawaii Pops Orchestra, and as a session recording violinist with local artists.
As accomplished educator, Dr. Ebisu has held positions as a part-time Lecturer in Violin at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Assistant and Adjunct Instructor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and faculty at Conservatory Music in the Mountains Summer Festival in Colorado.During the summer, she serves on the Violin Faculty at InterHarmony Music Festival in Acqui Terme, Italy.
Dr. Ebisu’s students consistently achieve acclaim in national and international competitions, excelling in programs like the Hawaii Youth Symphony program. Many have been featured in exclusive masterclasses with renowned soloists such as Sarah Chang, Ray Chen, Augustin Hadelich, Midori, Ryu Goto, Robert McDuffie and others. From prestigious performances at Carnegie Hall to NPR “From the Top” features, her students continue to shine.
With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Pre-Medicine from the University of Texas at Austin, along with Master's and Doctorate degrees in Violin Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Dr. Ebisu's primary instructors include Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, Sumiko Edo, John Arnold, Dr. Eugene Gratovich, and Oswald Lehnert. A committed advocate for music education, Dr. Ebisu shares her passion through recitals, conference engagements, and workshops. Under her leadership as President of the Hawaii Music Teachers Association, HMTA achieved the prestigious recognition of '2022 MTNA National State Chapter Affiliate of the Year.'"