ABOUT

Japanese cellist Akito Goto has appeared as a soloist with ensembles such as the London Mozart Players, Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra, and Orpington Symphony Orchestra - giving performances in major concert halls such as the Wigmore Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Barbican Centre, Royal Festival Hall, Hamarikyu Asahi Hall, and Hakuju Hall.

Akito was the youngest ever winner of the Izuminomori Cello Contest and youngest participant selected to compete in the 9th Rostropovich Competition. He was also awarded 1st Prize in the Japan Player's Contest, and recently received a generous scholarship from the Raphael Sommer Music Scholarship Trust. He has worked with musicians including Natalia Gutman, Tim Gill, Adrian Brendel, Lawrence Power, The Takacs Quartet, and Sir Simon Rattle.

Akito started playing the cello at the age of 5. From the age of eight to thirteen he studied at the renowned Toho Gakuen School of Music in Japan under the tutelage of Hakuro Mori. At thirteen he was accepted to study with Pal Banda at the Purcell School for Young Musicians. He completed his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he studied with Louise Hopkins, receiving First Class Honours and Distinction for his Bachelor and Master’s degrees. Akito plays on a Henry Hill cello on generous loan from a private individual.