Maya Masaoka

Bio

Maya Masaoka joined the Vancouver Symphony’s second violin section in the 2026-2027 season. Prior to joining the VSO, she received her Bachelor’s of Music degree and went on to pursue a Master’s of Music degree from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California under the tutelage of Lina Bahn with a full scholarship.

A Los Angeles native, Maya began playing the violin at age 3 studying with Linda Rose. She has received numerous awards including prizes in the West Covina Symphony Orchestra Competition, the American String Teachers Association Competition, the Music Teachers' Association of California VOCE Competition, the Callie D. McGrath Competition, the Classics Alive Artists Competition, and performed as a soloist with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and the Pasadena Youth Orchestra.

An avid orchestral musician, Maya has held principal positions with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra, the USC Thornton Symphony, and the Aspen Conducting Academy. She has participated in many renowned summer festivals such as the Pacific Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, New York String Orchestra Seminar, and Taipei Music Academy & Festival. She has appeared as a substitute musician with the New World Symphony. She has also played in masterclasses given by Shmuel Ashkenasi, Glenn Dicterow, Stephen Rose, and Martin Beaver.

In her free time, Maya enjoys dancing, reading, going on walks, and trying new cafes.