Ayaka Miura
Trumpet
Japanese trumpeter Ayaka Miura joins the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra as Second Trumpet beginning with the 2026–27 season. Prior to joining the CSO, she served as Associate Principal Trumpet of the Boise Philharmonic.
Miura has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, including its 2025 Asia Tour under Gustavo Dudamel, with concerts in South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Her orchestral experience also includes Zurich Opera, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, and Tokyo Sinfonietta.
She has been named a finalist for Associate Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic and Principal Trumpet of the Phoenix Symphony, and was selected as a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and School, Spoleto Festival USA, the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Wind Orchestra Academy.
Miura completed her Graduate Certificate in Music Performance at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, where she studied with Thomas Hooten, Principal Trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Jennifer Marotta, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Trumpet Performance at USC Thornton. She was honored with the Outstanding Graduate Certificate Student Award, the Robert Marsteller Memorial Endowed Music Award, and the Winds and Percussion Departmental Award.
She has also been mentored by Christopher Still, Second Trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and founder of Honesty Pill Coaching, during a key turning point in her career. Additional teachers include Frits Damrow, Laurent Tinguely, Eric Aubier, Kenichi Tsujimoto, and Kazuya Homma.
What piece made you fall in love with music?
There wasn’t one specific piece that made me fall in love with music — it was simply always part of my childhood. I wasn’t raised in a musical family, but there was always music playing at home or in the car, especially J-pop. I think growing up that way naturally led me to love music.
What’s your best or most memorable concert experience as a musician?
One of my most memorable experiences was performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection,” with the LA Phil during their Asia tour last year. Performing across Asia, including in my home country of Japan, and sharing the stage with musicians I had long admired was incredibly meaningful to me. There were moments when I nearly cried while playing.
Another unforgettable experience was my first concert with the Charlotte Symphony. I was very nervous, but so grateful for the warm welcome. Making music together on that stage, I truly felt what a wonderful ensemble this is, and I feel so lucky to now be part of it.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I actually studied in Japan, France, and Switzerland before coming to the United States.
Also, although I’m Japanese and grew up in a small town by the sea, I have a fish allergy, so I can hardly eat sushi!
