CMC Notes – February 2024

1. How old were you when you first started music?

I began taking piano lessons at the age of seven. I remember liking singing and whistling even before that. Around the age of twelve, I started learning guitar and drums.

2. Why did you want to make music your career?

Music has always played a central role in my life. As a kid, I enjoyed taking piano lessons to learn how to play on my own, all while having other passions. Growing up in Japan, I initially wanted to become a manga author. However, after joining a band and experiencing the joy of playing music with others, I decided to pursue a career in music.

3. Which groups are you currently playing with, if any?

I’m playing with my own jazz quartet, a Latin duo with Camila Lozada, a jazz fusion band called Dennim Quack, and various other musicians.

4. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

It’s rewarding for me to help my students have fun playing music and overcome their musical challenges. Connecting with my students through music is even more so!

5. Some students have challenges with consistent practicing. What advice would you give them?

Listen to music you like or go enjoy live music to get inspired and motivated to play. After that, you’ll want to practice to recreate the great musical moment you had 🙂 Also, don’t feel pressured to practice for a long time – playing just for a minute every day makes a huge difference in your playing.