Samika Honda (violin I)
Samika Honda began playing the violin, aged three, in England. After graduating from the Paris Conservatory (CNSM) in 2005, she continued her studies in the superior string quartet class in CNSMP, receiving the first prize in 2006. She also obtained the first prize in the superior chamber music class with Sylvain Durantel as a duo violin-viola in 2009.
Samika has won many prestigious awards such include the best prize at the All Japan Classical Music Competition 1993, the gold medal in the National Competition “Festival of Festivals” in the U.K. in 1996, the “Promifi” prize at the Epernay violin competition 2001, the First Prize at the Avignon International Violin Competition in 2001, the prize for best interpretation of a contemporary work in the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition in 2006. Her on-stage experience has led her to play with the English Chamber Orchestra at St. John’s Smith Square in London at the age of 12. In 2006 Samika played with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Kochi in Japan. She gives recitals in the UK, Japan, France and in Spain, and has also participated in numerous charity concerts such as Benefit to victims of the Tsunami, and “Live music now!” founded by Yehudi Menuhin.