Dr. Nikki Routman Ebisu

Director

Violinist Dr. Nikki Ebisu enjoys a distinguished career as a teacher, performer, and clinician. Her passion for music has led to collaborative chamber music and orchestral performances worldwide.  She is a recipient of the 2022 Teacher of the Year from the Hawaii Music Teachers Association, and during her presidency, the organization was recognized as the 2022 MTNA State Chapter Affiliate of the Year. In 2025, she received the Certificate of Achievement from the Suzuki Association of the Americas, a national honor recognizing "an outstanding commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in teaching". 

As the owner of Violin Artistry Studio in Honolulu, Dr. Ebisu specializes in violin education for students aged 3 and up. As one of the few remaining violinists to have studied directly with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, the creator of the Suzuki Method, she is in high demand—particularly as a Japanese-bilingual instructor. Dr. Ebisu also serves as the Beginner Orchestra Instructor at 'Iolani School, and is a violinist with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Each summer, she serves on the Violin Faculty at Interharmony Music Festival in Acqui Terme, Italy.

Dr. Ebisu holds a Bachelor of Arts 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. As a passionate advocate for music education, she regularly presents at conferences and workshops.