A 13-year-old violinist in Pennsylvania is receiving international acclaim and awards for her exceptional musical abilities.
Mio Imai is a storyteller who expresses herself through the strings of her violin.
“I feel like with the violin, you can make so many different colors and moods,” she said. “I feel like music is an amazing power that I have.”
Mio is taught by Kimberly Fisher, who plays second violin with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
“She doesn’t play the violin like a 13-year-old. She doesn’t relate to music like a 13-year-old. She’s still young at heart, but there’s a maturity about her not just in her playing, but in what she wishes to convey,” Fisher said.
Imai first discovered her talent at the age of 4.
By age 8, she performed for Fisher through the Philadelphia International Music Festival and soon became her student.
The two practice together in person or virtually for at least two hours every week.
Now, the eighth-grader from Spring City is traveling worldwide and winning top prizes in countries including the United States, Italy, and Belgium.
“I want to be a really great violinist and I want to be able to share my music with the world,” she said.
Mio said making musical connections with her audience is what she loves best.
As the saying goes, when words fail, music speaks, and the audiences of Mio’s performances are immersed in the story she tells through her music.
“She’s on the right track to do whatever she chooses with the violin as a musician, and she’ll bring a lot of joy to many people listening,” Fisher said.
