“I was born and grew up in Osaka, Japan. I’m 19 years old. I started playing the marimba 4 years ago. I performed on a Japanese TV program in 2019 called “Untitled Concert”, which is listed in the Guinness World Records as the longest running classical TV program. Recently, I have been studying with Mr. Shinsuke Ishihara for a year. I won the third prize in the 22nd OSAKA International Music Competition in 2021 with his help.
I like classical, jazz, pop, brass band, Japanese Anime songs, and marimba original songs. I especially like Symphony No. 9, E MINOR, OP. 95, “From the New World” by Antonin Dvorak, and “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin.
I practice the marimba almost every day. First, I do the scale sheet, chromatic scale, and arpeggio for about 10 minutes. Second, I play the song that I am currently practicing from the beginning to the end. Third, I check the points I missed and the important points that my teacher instructed me on in the last lesson for about 20-30 minutes. Finally, I repeatedly play the song from the beginning to the end again for about 1 to 2 hours on average.
I research the competitions in which I’m going to participate as some of them have different examination methods. I need to change the way I play depending on the competitions, so I spend some time studying the requirements. I put on the outfit which I wear at competitions and practice at home while wearing it right before competitions.
I study with Mr. Shinsuke Ishihara. He is a great marimbist, performer, & teacher. He teaches me not only how to play but also body movements and how to appeal to the audience. He always says that our goal is to make our audience happy. I think it is very important. I am a scholarship student at Osaka University of Arts and Mr. Koji Takata, the Head of the Music Department, also says the same thing. He tells me that I should always look up and be confident, and also to chase my dream.
When I was 16, I won the music audition to be on a TV program called “Untitled Concert”. There were 749 performers on the program, and only 6 performers were selected from among them. I was one of them. Then, I was given the chance to perform with the world-famous conductor, Mr. Keitaro Harada, and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. It was such an exciting, fun moment of my life and I will never forget it! Therefore, I would like to improve my skills and perform with them again as a soloist in the future. I will keep practicing until I achieve this.
Another dream is that I would like to have my marimba music used as BGM in the battle stage for the game called “Monster Strike”. Its music is a mixture of classical and pop, and it’s very artistic. It would be so exciting if my music could be used in a game!
I would like to volunteer to perform in front of refugees and people in need. I would love to play some pieces of music for them because I think it will help take their minds off their problems and give them a happy memory to hold onto. This is actually why I started playing the marimba. I really feel that the sounds of the marimba have the ability to heal and bring joy.”