Violin
Mr. Ryu Wada
Violin Instructor
About Mr. Ryu
Born in 2001 in São Paulo, Brazil, Mr. Ryu Wada began his violin journey at age 10 and quickly progressed to study with Eliza Fukuda, considered Brazil's premier violin professor. Under her guidance, he earned prestigious awards including recognition from the Magda Tagliaferro Foundation for Young Talents for three consecutive years and achieved semi-finalist status at Brazil's national Young Artists competition. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Musical Performance at Nicholls State University in Louisiana under Professor James Alexander and is currently pursuing his Master's in Music Performance at West Virginia University.
As a Graduate Assistant at WVU, Ryu is dedicated to continuously improving his teaching skills to help students overcome any challenge. He has taught since his early undergraduate years and has served as an ad-hoc translator and instructor for his colleagues. His teaching philosophy centers on accessibility, adaptability, and helping students achieve their musical goals regardless of obstacles.
Teaching Experience & Leadership
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Currently serving as a Graduate Assistant at West Virginia University, where he teaches violin students while pursuing advanced performance studies and refining his pedagogical approach.
Translator & Cultural Bridge
Has served as an ad-hoc translator and instructor for colleagues, helping to bridge language and cultural barriers. Proudly helped bring two international students to the United States to pursue their musical education.
Honors & International Experience
Ryu's exceptional talent has earned him recognition across continents and opportunities to learn from world-renowned musicians:
Curtis Institute YASP Program: One of the first Brazilians ever inducted into Curtis Institute's prestigious Young Artist Summer Program, studying with world-class faculty
Magda Tagliaferro Foundation: Awarded recognition for young talents for three consecutive years, demonstrating consistent excellence in performance
National Competition Semi-Finalist: Achieved semi-finalist position at Brazil's national Young Artists competition
International Training: Has participated in masterclasses with renowned pedagogues including Mimi Zweig, Charles Castleman, Ryu Goto, and Alejandro Drago, and performed in music programs across Prague, the United States, and Brazil
Cultural Ambassador: Recognized as one of the few Brazilian-Japanese musicians currently active and performing, representing a unique cultural bridge in classical music