Nikki Routman Ebisu, violin
Dr. Nikki (Routman) Ebisu enjoys an esteemed career as a violinist, teacher and clinician, celebrated for her dedication to music and education. Her passion for music has led to a global career, featuring collaborative chamber music and orchestral performances across Europe, the USA, and Asia. Recognized as the '2022 Teacher of the Year' by the Hawaii Music Teachers Association, Dr. Ebisu is a sought-after Japanese bilingual violin instructor and one of the few remaining protégés of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, the visionary founder of the Suzuki Method.
As an educator, she has held positions as part-time Lecturer in Violin at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Assistant and Adjust Instructor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Faculty at Conservatory Music in the Mountains Summer Festival in Colorado. Dr. Ebisu currently serves as a Violin/Viola Instructor for the Performing Arts Department at 'Iolani School. She is also the owner of Violin Artistry Studio in Honolulu, specializing in violin education for students aged 3 and up, guiding students from the beginning through advanced levels.
As a performer, she has graced the stages of orchestras including the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra, Honolulu Symphony, Maui Pops Orchestra, World Symphony Orchestra (South Korea), Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Austin Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony, among others. Dr. Ebisu's students consistently achieve success in national and international competitions, excelling within programs such as the Hawaii Youth Symphony, NYO at Carnegie Hall and Meadowmount Summer Festival. Many have been featured in exclusive masterclasses with renowned soloists such as Sarah Chang, Ray Chen, Augustin Hadelich, Midori, Ryu Goto, Alexi Kenney, Robert McDuffie and others. From captivating performances at Carnegie Hall to being featured on NPR From the Top, her students continue to inspire with their accomplishments.
Dr. Ebisu holds Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Pre-Medicine from the University of Texas at Austin, along with Master's and Doctorate degrees in Violin Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her primary instructors include Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, Sumiko Edo, John Arnold, Dr. Eugene Gratovich, and Oswald Lehnert. A committed advocate for music education, Dr. Ebisu shares her passion through recitals, conferences and workshops. During her tenure as President of the Hawaii Music Teachers Association, the organization earned national distinction as the '2022 MTNA National State Chapter Affiliate of the Year.'
