Akiko Sakonju Click here for photographs Download Ms. Sakonju's biography (MS Word) Violin Akiko Sakonju joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra first violin section in September 1977. A native of Japan, she began studying the violin at age 11. She came to the United States in 1972 to study at the Curtis Institute under Ivan Galamian and Jaime Laredo, graduating in 1977.