Nanao Yamada, born in Oregon and raised in Osaka Japan, first started playing the violin at the age of 8. Later, she studied with Carol Sindell, a student of Jascha Heifetz, in Portland for over 10 years. She received her bachelor’s from Eastman School of Music under Oleh Krysa, and finished her masters and received her doctorate at Northwestern University Bienen School of Music under Gerardo Ribeiro. In summer 2017, she was a member of the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra, founded by Leonard Bernstein.

A passionate teacher, she spent five years as Professor Ribeiro’s Teaching Assistant at Northwestern University as well as at the Meadowmount School of Music. In 2021, she served as a Junior Faculty at the Interlochen School of the Arts Camp. Also an avid chamber musician, Nanao has performed for many masterclasses and was invited to compete at the Fischoff National Chamber Competition. She has won and placed in numerous solo competitions in Oregon, with her debut at 14 years old with the Oregon Symphony. Currently, she holds a private studio based in Tokyo and teach students of all ages.