Japanese conductor and violinist Makoto Akatsu. He started his violin studies with Prof. Morioka at Kunitachi Music College in Tokyo, same time studied the baroque violin with Mrs. Ono, viola da gamba and chamber music with Mr. Shige. Alongside his violin studied, he conducted several choirs and orchestras. In 1987 he moved to the Netherlands, where he studied the baroque violin with Mr. S. Kuijken at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. In 1993 he obtained his soloist's diploma. In 1990 Makoto Akatsu founded the Orchestra 'Van Wassenaer' with which he has performed on numerous occasions. He was also a member of the ensemble Affetti Musicali, which won second prize in the 1991 International Early Music Ensemble Competition in Utrecht, and member of La Petite Bande. He is leader of the Collegium de Dunis, and has performed with Les Arts Florissants, Les Talens Lyriques, the Nederlandse Bachvereniging, Tafelmusic of Toronto, Coversation Galantes and Bach Collegium Japan.