Raika Yamakage (1999)

| Japan

University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna

Professor | Christian Altenburger

Accompanist | Indrė Baikštytė

Raika Yamakage was born in Tokyo and began playing the violin at the age of six. Since he was thirteen, Raika expanded his musical activities and included the viola. Since 2009, he has studied with Tsugio Tokunaga, and is currently pursuing his studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, under the guidance of Christian Altenburger and Annette Bik. In 2015, Yamakage won the All-Japan Student Music Competition and later achieved 3rd prize at the International Ysaÿe Music Competition 2022 and at the Saar International Violin Competition 2023. As a soloist, he has performed with renowned orchestras such as the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra, the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra and the Grande Région Chamber Orchestra. As a chamber musician, he has appeared at such festivals as the Loisiarte Festival (2021-2024), Musiktage Con Anima (2021–2024), Weißensee Klassik (2022), and the St. Gallen Festival. Additionally, as a contemporary music performer, he collaborates with chamber ensembles such as Platypus Ensemble and Ensemble XXl. Jahrhunderts. Violinist was a recipient of the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Scholarship in 2021, and the Yamaha Music Foundation scholarship in 2023–2024. He graduated from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna with honors and earned the Benjamin Prize, and is currently continuing his master studies.