Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Strings Department in the USC Thornton School of Music is Midori Goto The
Association of Performing Arts Presenters honored Midori with the 2015 Award of Merit. The prize is awarded “to an individual whose genius, energy and excellence have defined or redefined an art form for today’s audiences”.
The prize was presented by Zarin Mehta. One of Midori’s honors was being named a “Messenger of Peace” by the Secretary General of the United Nations. She has also received the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum and was elected to the AAAS. Midori holds the Jascha Heifetz Chair at the USC Thornton School of Music.