Known for her “lovely playing” (New York Times) and “expansive lyricism” (New York Concert Review), violinist Nanae Iwata has quickly established herself in versatile roles as a soloist, period performer, chamber musician, orchestral musician, and educator.  She is a frequent performer all over the world making appearances in the United States, Japan, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, and Cuba.  As a winner of the Artist International Competition Ms. Iwata was awarded a debut recital at Carnegie Hall in 2008 which was lauded by critic, Anthony Aibel as “riveting” and “exquisitely done.”

By personal invitation of Seiji Ozawa, Ms. Iwata became a member of the internationally renowned, Saito Kinen Orchestra.  She is also a member of The Knights (Opus 3 artist) whose recent highlights with the group include a special appearance on Channel Thirteen/PBS hosted by Paula Zahn and recordings on the Sony and Ancalagon record labels.  She also performs regularly with the ensemble New York Baroque Incorporated and Concert Royal.

As a Baroque violinist Ms. Iwata has performed with renowned artists such as William Christie, Monica Huggett, Jordi Savall, and Ton Koopman.  Her playing in the Telemann Concerto Grosso in B-flat Major earned praise by critic Harry Rolnick, “The most delicious violin solos by concertmaster, Nanae Iwata set the joyous sound for the whole piece.”  As a result of winning the Juilliard Concerto Competition in 2011 she gave her New York City concerto debut at Alice Tully Hall performing Bach’s A minor Violin Concerto. Her edition of Corelli’s “La Follia” Variations was recently published by International Music Company commemorating the tercentennial of the composer’s death.
 

Ms. Iwata is the President and Artistic Director of the New Amsterdam Conservatory.  She has held positions at the Sherwood Conservatory (Chicago), Lucy Moses School (NYC), and the Mozart Music Academy (Nagoya, Japan).  In addition to maintaining an active private teaching studio she worked extensively with Philip Seymour Hoffman in preparation for his role in the movie, A Late Quartet.

Ms. Iwata earned both her BM and MM degrees in violin performance from The Juilliard School where she was a full-scholarship student studying with Masao Kawasaki and Ronald Copes.  In addition, she received a second MM as a member of Juilliard’s Historical Performance program under the tutelage of Monica Huggett and Cynthia Roberts.