My Work
I have been closely working with various students as a violin teacher, interpreter and consultant for study abroad. Regarding my lesson philosophy, a list of artists I have interpreted for, and details of previous consulting work, please see the sections below.
Violin Lessons
one to one private lessons
All ages and all levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced students, and from children to adults. Lessons will be either at my place or student's house. Lessons in English and Japanese are available.
*Child Protection Awareness Course Certificate Holder
Consulting
for study abroad
Building on my own experience of studying in London (at the Royal Academy of Music) and as the former Japan Representative for the Royal Academy of Music (2016-2022), I provide consultation for those wishing to study abroad in the UK and other English-speaking countries. For other European countries, please contact me.
Violin Lessons
My aim is not only to help each student enjoy and understand music, but also to support them in acquiring various strengths in the process of studying the violin.
Beginners start with basics such as
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learning how to take care of the instrument
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how to stand properly while playing
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how to hold the instrument and the bow
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how to read sheet music
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how to choose a shoulder rest and chin rest
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the timing of breathing
Lessons for advanced students focus on aspects such as
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how to use arms and body muscles
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the meaning and details of fingering and bowing
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the flow of sound and music
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improve your sound
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how to read/ understand the composer's intentions
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how to find your own interpretations
Lessons in English and Japanese are also available. I have been teaching international school students from YIS, ASIJ, Saint Maur, BST and Institute Le Rosey.
Please contact me for further information concerning lesson fees, scheduling and so on.
Lesson Philosophy
Music is not only for students who want to become professional musicians. It is something that enriches and colours the lives of all people and can be enjoyed by all people. I would like music to be a great companion in many aspects of our lives.
In the process of learning, the student experiences a 'journey' of small steps over a long period of time. Through this journey, each student will learn patience through practice, the ability to search for problems and find solutions, the determination to get things done, the ability to sense 'sound' (which is invisible!), the ability to read music to find the composer's message hidden in the score, the creative ability to shape the sound, and much more. I believe in helping students to experience this path through my lessons.
Music is history, maths, language and communication. Music is understanding, expression, empathy, life-enrichment, comfort, passion, beauty, and appreciation of others. Above all, it is an irreplaceable ART. I would like to share the experience of music with you.
Furthermore, students who pursue professional careers as musicians should be able to think and play not for the convenience of their own fingers, but for the demands of the music. They should be able to feel the 'music' beyond just 'notes' and 'technique’. In our musical lives, I hope we can tell stories and draw pictures through the music and keep improving through our lives so that we might become inspiring musicians that can create an emotional impact even with a single note.
Interpreting
(Japanese ↔ English)
Based on my experience as a performer and as a teacher, I try to carefully choose words that make difficult concepts easier to understand, considering the age of the students who are being addressed. I try to make sure that the intention of each teacher is delivered to students and the audience.
To find out more about the teachers and artists I have interpreted for, please see the section on Past Interpretation Work.
Past Interpretation Work
Universities
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Toho Gakuen School of Music
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Tokyo College of Music
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Senzoku Gakuen College of Music
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Nihon University College of Art
Music festivals
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Ishikawa Music Academy
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Argerich Music Festival
Professors / Artists
Conductors
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Hubert Soudant
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Jorma Panula (Sibelius Academy and others )
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Niels Muus
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Min Chung
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John Axcelrod (Bucharest Symphony Orchestra)
Pianists
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Martha Argerich
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Mats Jansson (Örebro University and others )
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Piotr Paleczny (The Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, etc. )
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Joanna MacGregor (the Royal Academy of Music)
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Ronan O’Hora (Guildhall School of Music)
Opera Singers
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Armin Zanner (Guildhall School of Music)
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Catherine Peterson (the Royal Academy of Music)
Violinists
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Anton Solokow (the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna)
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Dmitry Sitkovetsky
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Lucie Robert (Manhattan School of Music, etc.)
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Barnabas Kelemen ( Budapest’s Liszt Academy etc )
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Irina Tseitlin (California Institute of Music)
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Stepan Yakovich (Moscow Conservatory)
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Richard Deakin (the Royal Academy of Music, etc. )
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Federico Agostini (former I Musici Ensemble etc )
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Boris Belkin
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Philip Honore (the Royal Academy of Music)
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Martin Beaver (Colburn School etc. )
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William Chiquito (the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia)
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Mads Tolling (Jazz Violinist, Twice Winner of the Grammy Awards)
Violists
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Wilfried Strehle (Berlin Philharmonie)
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Robert Bauerstatter (Vienna Philharmonic)
Cellists
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Mario Brunello
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Wen-Shin Yang
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Jo Cole (the Royal Academy of Music)
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Matthias Ranft (Bamberg Symphony)
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Lluis Claret (New England Conservatory, Boston)
Ensembles
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Panocha Quartet
Consultant for Study Abroad at Music Conservatoires
In order to help overseas students (such as Japanese students) overcome the initial difficulties of applying in a foreign language, especially when they apply for the first time, I provide support for completing application forms and applications in English, editing and providing feedback for personal statements and supporting application material.
The main consulting which I have provided as the Japan Representative for the Royal Academy of Music, please see the section on Examples of Consulting.
Examples of Consulting
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Audition set-up (for live audition)
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Arranging visits to the schools (by request)
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Arranging consultation lessons (by request)
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School course guidance for BMus, MA, MMus, Ph.D. and so on
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Writing support for UCAS applications
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Editing/ revising/ providing feedback for personal statements in applications (Japanese)
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Translation/ editing/ rewriting for personal statements in applications (English)
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English language advice and commentary
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Advice on studying English
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Providing interpretation during interviews at auditions in Japan
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Revision and support for writing CVs
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English speech and content correction
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Pronunciation lessons
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Content advice and pronunciation guidance for interview videos (for recorded auditions)
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Advice on living abroad
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Advice on setting up bank accounts abroad
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Advice concerning accommodations abroad
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Visa application writing support
Other services may be possible. Please enquire for more information.