MOL: Tell us about your
musical background.
I was born in Tokyo, Japan. I began to study marimba at age of 8 after the meeting
of Akiko Suzuki, a beautiful Marimbist. Akiko Suzuki was my first teacher. Akiko Suzuki is
very supportive for whatever I decide to do. In many ways, she will always be my
mentor. I stopped Marimba at age 13, but I decided to continue at 16. In 1996, I came to
the USA as an exchange student, majoring Psychology. Then I met Karen
Ervin-Pershing, a CSUN percussion instructor, who inspired me to pursue musical career. I
changed my major in 1997 to Music Performance and studied percussion with her. In 1999, I
was a graduate assistant of Marimba virtuoso, Gordon Stout, at Ithaca College. After
studying with him, I felt like I was under a magic spell. Everything became so clear.
I knew what I wanted to do with this beautiful instrument. In 2001, I studied with
another marimba virtuoso in Boston, Nancy Zeltsman. She helped me to adapt classical
music playing in Marimba.
MOL: Did your family influenced in your choice of musical career in any way?
I am not from a music family. That actually helped me to have
a free mind in my music making possibilities. They have been always supportive for
whatever I choose to be. In the past, I have had dreams of being a translator, a rock
drummer, a Psychologist... and my family had always supported me.
MOL: How many concerts do you have a year?
I have more than 30 concerts per year. For each concert, I have a different
program that will keep me inspired and to move forward.
MOL: What do you do for hobby, if any?
I love taking a long bath after practicing all day long. Since
my instrument requires for me to stand all times during the practice, I seek to have
moments to myself. I also like kick-boxing and any kind of physical activities.
MOL: In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a
good performer?
A good performer should have unique character and never forgets to be thankful to
others.
MOL: How do you judge a good performance?
Whether being famous or not, any performance that makes my heart move and makes me
feel alive is a great one.
MOL: Where do you live now?
I live in Japan half of the year and in the USA another half.
