Mako Ochiai is a Japanese violinist and the first violinist of Quartet Fugue, which won Third Prize at the 2026 ARD International Music Competition in Munich.

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After completing her initial studies in Tokyo, she moved to Europe to further develop her artistic identity. She is currently based in Hannover, Germany, pursuing a double degree (Doppelstudium) at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover, where she studies solo violin (Konzertexamen) with Prof. Elisabeth Kufferath and chamber music with Prof. Oliver Wille.

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Her experience as concertmistress of the Yutaka Sado and Super Kids Orchestra led to her interest in chamber music, and in 2023 she formed Quartet Fugue. As a member of the quartet, she also won Second Prize at the 2026 Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. The quartet has been supported by the Matsuo Foundation since 2024.

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Alongside her quartet activities, she is active as a soloist. Her awards include Second Prize at the 2021 Music Competition of Japan, First Prize at the 2021 Matsukata Hall Music Award, and First Prize at the 2020 Japan Performers Competition.

 

She has appeared as a soloist with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, the Central Aichi Symphony Orchestra, and the Geidai Philharmonia Orchestra, Tokyo. She has also participated in festivals including the International Music Festival NIPPON, the Tokyo Spring Music Festival, the Kitakyushu International Music Festival, and the Chigiana Festival. She was a Fellow of the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Academy during its 7th and 8th terms, from 2022 to 2026.

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Born in Shiga, Japan, she spent part of her childhood in Los Angeles and began studying the violin at the age of six. She entered Tokyo University of the Arts as a recipient of the Tokuji Munetsugu Scholarship, graduated first in her class, and earned her master's degree there. She has studied with teachers including Gérard Poulet, Asako Urushihara, Keiko Urushihara, Kei Shirai, Masafumi Hori, and Koichiro Harada.

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Her other honors include the Kirishima International Music Festival Award, the Music Academy in Miyazaki Excellence Award, the Otsu City Culture Encouragement Award, the Kyoto Arts Festival Music Division Encouragement Award, the Heiwado Foundation Arts Encouragement Award, the Shiga Prefecture Next Generation Culture Award, and the Tokiko Iwatani Foundation for Youth Award. She has also been supported by scholarships from the Rohm Music Foundation, the Fukushima Ikueikai, and the Tokiko Iwatani Foundation for Music Culture.

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She is currently a resident member of the Japan National Orchestra.

She performs with a bow generously on loan from SASSAFRAZ.

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