Japanese-born flutist Yukie Ota is known for her expressive tone, technical brilliance, and heartfelt musical presence; inspiring audiences across the globe through her varied performances. Since 2010, Yukie has been actively shaping her expansive musical career in the United States. She first gained international attention in 2014 when she won 2nd Prize at the Carl Nielsen International Flute Competition — a moment made unforgettable when a butterfly landed on her during her performance. Unfazed, she continued to play with poise and artistry, earning the nickname “Madame Butterfly.” Her performance has since garnered more than two million views on YouTube, eventually getting picked up by NPR. At the same competition, Yukie received the Orchestra Prize, Audience Prize, and Children’s Jury Prize.

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Continuing her successful competition run, Yukie won the Newly Commissioned Work Prize at the National Flute Association’s Young Artist Competition  in 2014 and First Prize at the Chicago Flute Club Solo Artist Competition in 2011.

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A dedicated soloist, Yukie has performed major concertos including J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 & 5, Mozart’s Concerto in G Major, C.P.E. Bach’s Concerto in D Minor, and Carl Nielsen’s Flute Concerto, appearing with orchestras such as the Odense Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, as well as in recitals at venues such as the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.

In 2025 Yukie was appointed Assistant Principal flute of the Grand Rapids Symphony. Since 2011, she has held the position of Principal Flute of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, and from 2020 to 2023 she served as Principal Flute of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Yukie is an invited guest artist with renowned ensembles across North America including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and Santa Barbara Symphony. In 2016, she was a guest artist with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra on a tour of Japan in 2016. She has performed with major orchestras such as the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra and Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Yukie has had festival and academy engagements that include appearances at prestigious international institutions such as the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland, the Pacific Music Festival and Kyoto Music Academy in Japan, the Musica Riva Festival in Italy, the Oviedo Music Festival in Spain, and the Incheon & Arts Festival in Korea, working under celebrated conductors including Valery Gergiev, Riccardo Muti, Fabio Luisi, and Chung Myung-Whun.

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Yukie holds a Master’s Degree from DePaul University School of Music, where she studied under Mathieu Dufour, a former Principal Flutist of the Berlin Philharmonic. In Japan she trained at Toho Gakuen School of Music, studying with Nao Nozu and Masahiro Arita in Baroque flute. She is also currently studying under Sharon Sparrow, a former assistant principal Flutist of Detroit Symphony Orchestra.