Kiyoshi Hayashi is a Boston-based violinist/violist, health and career coach, speaker, and entrepreneur.

He is the founder and violinist/violist of the award-winning Rasa String Quartet, Co-Artistic Director of the string ensemble and nonprofit Palaver Strings, and frequently performs with notable groups around New England including the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, Boston Festival Orchestra, and A Far Cry. 

Kiyoshi has received top prizes from competitions such as the Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition, MTNA Chamber Music Competition, and the St. Botolph Club Foundation Emerging Artist Award, and has collaborated with a wide range of artists including the Ariel String Quartet, Roomful of Teeth, Kinan Azmeh, Maeve Gilchrist, Judy Collins, and legendary rock bands The Who and The Eagles.

His principal teachers include Nicholas Kitchen, Almita and Roland Vamos, and Thomas Wermuth, and he received his B.M. from the New England Conservatory.

Beyond the stage, Kiyoshi is passionate about empowering young artists to cultivate the entrepreneurial skills and holistic lifestyle necessary to design meaningful and sustainable careers. He has taught at programs including Apple Hill’s Summer Chamber Music Festival, the Preludio Advanced Violin Program at the Ithaca Suzuki Institute, the Longy School of Music, and Phillips Exeter Academy, and regularly mentors emerging artists through his private coaching practice and one-on-one advising at the New England Conservatory.

When he’s not performing, teaching, or coaching, you’ll likely find Kiyoshi on a morning run, playing soccer or tennis, practicing yoga, reading, diving into a podcast, or exploring the outdoors.

Learn more at kiyoshihayashi.com.