Born near Tokyo in Japan, Hiroko first came to the UK in 1993 to study the violin at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

In 1996, at the invitation of Rachel Douglas, she joined Frederick Phelps Ltd in north London where she worked for seven years, gaining a thorough understanding of the stringed instrument business and dealing with all aspects of customer service. Particular highlights included trips to Japan to exhibit English instruments in the annual Tokyo Violin Exhibition.

In 2004, Hiroko joined well known London dealer J&A Beare Ltd, working as a sales manager for over ten years. She dealt with a wide range of clients, including world-renowned musicians, foundations, orchestras, students and dealers from all around the world, and handled instruments and bows across the full spectrum of the market, including the very finest examples by Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù, François Tourte and Dominique Peccatte. It was during this time that Hiroko first developed her passion for and skills in matching instruments with her customers’ varying requirements.

Hiroko set up her independent London business as a consultant/dealer in April 2015, in order to further her ability to offer a personal and highly-tailored service to prospective buyers and sellers of stringed instruments. She is able to take full advantage of a wealth of knowledge and experience, a long-standing relationship of trust and collaboration with Charles Beare (now at Beare Violins Ltd), and links with a network of dealers around the globe.

Hiroko also hopes to play a role in forging connections between her native Japan and the rest of the world through the buying and selling of fine stringed instruments.