Born in Kagoshima, Japan, Souki Kirihara began playing violin at the age of three. He studied at the Toho Gakuen Music High School and graduated from the Toho Gakuen College of Music. While a college student, he participated in the NHKSO Academy, Pacific Music Festival, Suntory Hall Chamber Music Academy, Project Q, and many more, and honing his ensemble skills. He was awarded 2nd prize in the 64th All Japan Student Music Competition Senior High School Division, and the top award (Governor’s Award) of the 31st Kagoshima Newcomers Concert Competition.
Since September 2015, Kirihara served simultaneously as Principal 2nd Violin of the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra and Concertmaster of the Gunma Symphony Orchestra, then as a principal player with the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra. In May 2019, he was appointed Principal Second Violin of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra. His mentors include Miki Nakajima, Masafumi Hori, and Yoshiharu Kubo.
Kirihara was a member of the PMF Academy in 2014. This year marks his third professional appearance at PMF since 2021.