As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Music is the universal language of mankind.” music has been an essential part of social and cultural life as a form of communication and sharing.

 I am a JUNO-nominated violinist, pedagogue, Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program Examiner (RCM exams), adjudicator, and lifelong music learner. I am passionate about sharing the joy of studying music through violin, backed by 45 years of playing and 30 years of teaching.

 My formative musical training was attained in Japan. I had immense experience performing for Dr. Suzuki of the Suzuki Violin Method as a child, leading me to take Suzuki teacher training courses later. Studying under the founding member of the Tokyo String Quartet, Koichiro Harada, I earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the prestigious Toho Gakuen Music School in Tokyo. I moved to Toronto to continue my studies with the late Lorand Fenyves, then attained a Master of Music in Performance from the University of Toronto and an Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory. Upon graduation, I joined the Royal Conservatory violin faculty. My students have been accepted into various music festivals and universities in Canada and the US and participate in all levels of the Royal Conservatory Certificate Program, including gold and silver medal winners. I coach chamber music at the Taylor Performance Academy weekly. I joined the College of Examiners in 2021 and maintain an active performing and recording career.

I am constantly refining teaching methods, taking advantage of this digital age for workshops, conferences and masterclasses worldwide, including the Royal Conservatory of Music’s highly anticipated Teaching Elementary Violin Course. As an RCM examiner and adjudicator at music festivals, I witness varied levels of students globally, providing me with a multi-dimensional perspective. To guide students through the four fundamental principles of developing a well-rounded musician – Technique, Theory/History, Musicianship, and Artistry – I strive to offer efficient and creative ways tailored to each student’s unique needs, learning style and goals. As a performer, I constantly reinforce the daily personal discipline of maintaining performance chops, which enables students to relate to me.

Technique-wise, my approach is often somatic, kinesthetic, and inspired based on the Body Mapping and the Alexander Technique methods, which I find most helpful in efficient and injury-preventing learning. Knowing and understanding the instrument’s mechanics is also a key to successfully integrating techniques, which I frequently use for the remedial teaching of transferred students with fast results. I also take the mental and emotional sides of learning very seriously as a recovering performer with stage anxiety. The Inner Game of Tennis book series had a significant impact, and so did meditation and yoga.

I aim to provide students with empowering tools to support them in feeling good about learning, bravery to try new things, and creative problem-solving through organized lesson planning and realistic short and long-term goal setting involving preparing for the RCM Exams and hosting mock exams and recitals. My private students have the advantage of regular chamber experience through my collaborative piano playing at lessons, recitals and exams. Joining choirs, youth orchestras, and music camps is encouraged and taking theory classes is highly recommended. Accountability buddies or practice coaches are offered when appropriate.

 I create a warm, welcoming, safe space for students to show their work with spark, comfort, and curiosity without fear or shame.  I always love to see students leaving the studio in a better mood than they came in, often humming!

“Teachers open doors. You enter by yourself. ”  – Chinese Proverb

Welcome to the journey.