Chisa Kodaka

Chisa Kodaka is Fourth Chair Second Violin of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, which she joined in 2022 shortly after earning her Master of Music degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music under Kathleen Winkler. While at Rice, she served as Ms. Winkler’s Teaching Assistant, received the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Scholarship, and was awarded the Mrs. L.F. McCollum Fellowship in recognition of outstanding achievement and promise. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School in 2019, studying under Lewis Kaplan.

Prior to joining the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Chisa regularly performed with ensembles including the Houston Symphony, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, Symphony in C, and New Haven Symphony Orchestra. She has also held fellowship positions at the Tanglewood Music Center (2019, 2021), Music Academy of the West (2017, 2018), and Summit Music Festival — Aaron Rosand Intensive (2015, 2016).

Alongside her performing career, Chisa is a dedicated educator who maintains a private studio and currently teaches at the Bryn Mawr School. She has previously held teaching positions at the New Amsterdam Conservatory of Music, Music Academy of the West (as a MERIT Mentor), Vivo Professional Music School, and Vivace International School of Music.

Chisa works with students of a wide range of ages and levels, with a particular focus on preparing young pre-professionals for orchestra auditions. She is committed to helping students develop a strong technical foundation, form musical independence, and build practice and performance skills necessary to succeed in competitive audition environments.