HIMARI (12) plays the violin with one of Japan's leading orchestras. She has won first place in every competition she has participated in. She continues to receive acclaim from all over the world. Furthermore, at the age of 10, she was the youngest "music college student" to be accepted into a prestigious music college in the United States. Philadelphia, USA. Curtis Institute of Music, where admission is considered a great honor in itself. Tuition is fully waived, and only a few "geniuses" are allowed to pass through its gates. It has produced many famous musicians, including the world-famous conductor Bernstein. It has also produced many famous musicians from all over the world. HIMARI passed the entrance exam to this prestigious school at just 10 years old. HIMARI: "I've improved so much since coming here in the past year." She plays a famous instrument, a Stradivarius. Yusaku Maezawa, who fell in love with her playing, provided it for her. What does her teacher, who has taught at the Curtis Institute of Music for 25 years and has produced many talented musicians, think of HIMARI? Professor Ida Kavafian: "If you close your eyes and listen to HIMARI's performance, you won't feel her age. It's as if there is an older, wiser musician inside her. Needless to say, she is talented and an extraordinary genius." HIMARI: "My teacher sets the limit of what we can do (for the assigned pieces), so we have to do a lot of different pieces. (Q. Spartan?) That's the norm. It's not just me, everyone here does it at that pace." There is strict homework, and we practice at least eight hours a day. Each piece is difficult enough that even professionals would groan in amazement. HIMARI: "It's so incredibly difficult. (Q: What pieces are you practicing now?) If you look at the whole period, there are about nine pieces. (Q: That's not a lot) A lot. It's too much. If you count each movement, it's about 30 pieces." Her classmates join her in practicing. When we asked classmate Maya Buchanan about HIMARI... Maya Buchanan: "HIMARI is amazing, she's a really special musician." Classmate Michael Shaham (20), who placed second in an international competition, said this. Michael Shaham: "I remember when HIMARI first came to Aida's class. The moment she performed, everyone was shocked and disappointed. We couldn't practice that day again." Her homeroom teacher recalls the first time she performed in front of her classmates: Teacher Ida Kavafian: "My students were listening to HIMARI's performance. They looked at the students' faces and saw three boys sitting on the bench, one of them with his hood pulled down and chewing. They couldn't believe the sound that a 10-year-old girl was making." Michael Shaham: "Some people are discouraged by the achievements of a child who is called a prodigy, but for me, I see it as a very positive thing. She is a very inspiring presence and makes me love music even more." When she puts down the violin, she also has a side that is typical of a 12-year-old. Although they are different in age, they are all university students. They play and learn together. HIMARI was born in Japan. She picked up the violin at the age of three. Influenced by her mother, a violinist. From that time on, she showed extraordinary talent. By the age of six, she was performing with a professional orchestra. She has participated in more than 40 competitions both in Japan and abroad, and won first place in all of them. However, HIMARI says this. HIMARI: "I don't really like competitions. In concerts, I play for other people, but in competitions, I play for myself." HIMARI is steadily moving forward on her path to becoming a world-class violinist. Her teacher was also worried because of the high expectations. Teacher Ida Kavafian: "There are many musicians who were famous from a young age, but did not grow properly. I am afraid of that. I think HIMARI will be fine. I am responsible not only for her to grow as a musician, but also for planning her career. By doing so, I think she will grow gradually. (Q: What kind of violinist do you want her to become?) I want her to continue the process of growing. I would like to see the adult version of HIMARI." The girl who is praised by the world is only 12 years old. What kind of future does she envision for herself? HIMARI: "I'm still in the process of developing, but I don't play the violin just for myself. I deliver music to people, so I want to become a violinist who can make people happy and move them." *HIMARI will be performing the opera "Carmen Fantasy," which is about a woman who loves freedom. *We ask HIMARI. (Q. Are you really 12 years old?) HIMARI: I'm in the sixth grade. (Q. It must not be easy to become Carmen at the age of 12, so how do you hone your expressiveness?) HIMARI: My teacher taught me a lot about playing with emotion, and I play with that in mind. (Q. When do you feel happy?) HIMARI: I love playing with people, so I feel happy when I'm performing with an orchestra or playing chamber music with friends. (Q: What kind of violinist do you want to be in the future?) HIMARI: To be able to perform with the world's top orchestras and to expand my repertoire and perform. I will work hard to be able to perform with many people. Thank you very much for tonight. HIMARI: Thank you very much.