Yuya Okamoto

Yuya Okamoto is a Japanese cellist born in 1994 in Tokyo. He began his cello journey at the age of six and went on to study at the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts, under Nobuko Yamazaki. Later, he pursued further studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich with Wen-Sinn Yang and then with Julian Steckel. Okamoto has achieved notable success in competitions, including winning the first prize at the Music Competition of Japan in 2011 and the second prize at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2017. He has also received honorable mention at the Witold Lutosławski International Cello Competition and the "Diploma of Merit" at the Gaspar Cassado International Competition. As a soloist, he has performed with various Japanese orchestras, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.

In recent years, Okamoto has joined the renowned Ébène Quartet, replacing Raphaël Merlin, who departed the group after nearly 25 years. With this new role, Okamoto brings his exceptional musical talent and enthusiasm to the ensemble. He performs on a cello made by Giovanni Grancino, built in 1682. His latest engagements include guest appearances with the Ébène Quartet and a tour with the Prague Symphony Orchestra, highlighting his versatility and dedication to chamber and orchestral music.

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