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Mariko debuted at age of 16 as a soloist on the violin with The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2005 she was drawn to the viola, as she fell in love with its deeper and warmer sound. She enjoys her career as a soloist and chamber musician in Europe and in her home country of Japan.

She won the 2nd prize in the International Brahms competition, Best of NRW and Young Artist of Mozart Society Dortmund, which brought her many opportunities, especially in Germany.

Her mentors include Nobuko Imai, Antoine Tamestit and Steven Isserlis. They have since become her musical partners, in addition to Elisabeth Leonskaja, Christian Tezzlaff, Pavel Vernikov and Arto Noras.

Mariko has played at internationally-renowned concert halls, including: Wigmore Hall London, Beethoven Haus Bonn, Wiener Konzerthaus, Toppan Hall Japan, Tokyo Opera City Hall, Konzerthaus Dortmund. She was a featured soloist with the Duisburg Philharmonie, Georgian Symphony Orchestra, Deutsche Kammer Akademie, Tunisian Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. She also appeared in the Verbier Festival, Kuhmo Chamber music Festival, Casals Festival, Yellow Barn and Tiroler Festspiel Erl.

Mariko was honored to win scholarships from the Hugo de Senger Foundation, Rohme Musik Foundation, Mozart Gesellschaft in Dortmund, Caspar Ludwig Opländer Stiftung and Dr. Carl Doerken Stiftung.

In 2013 she released first CD: Fantasie. It was broadcast internationally by WDR, ARD and Deustchekultur Radio, among others. It received wonderful reviews: „Brilliante Bratsche: Egal, ob Schumann, Brahms oder Hindemith, alles, da: Emotionen, Klangfarben, Wille zu Ausdruck und Gestaltung“ schrieb beispielsweise das Schweizer Magazin „Musik & Theater“ im Juni 2013. „Absolut bemerkenswert!“, resümmierte die Wiener Zeitung am 4. Juli 2013 und bereits im Mai 2013 beendete die Zeitschrift AUDIO eine hervorragende Rezension mit den Worten: „Mariko Hara: ein vielversprechendes Talent“.

Mariko’s mission is to share the beauty of viola, an instrument so often hidden in the shadows.