What is your favorite piece of music to play? To listen to? I love the Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata in G minor or playing and listening to music from the classical Romantic era in general, which is dated between circa 1830 and the early 1900s. This includes composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, Dvořák, and Schumann. Being trained as a classical musician, it was very important to learn musical language and style through these composers; however, I equally enjoy playing and listening to contemporary music in every genre.
What achievement over the course of your life are you most proud of? I am grateful for the outcome of every achievement. Each achievement has been equally important as they have all springboarded me from one opportunity to the next, leading me to the here and now.
I am currently excited about being asked to serve as both a Coral Ambassador for the Coral Reef Alliance and as a member of the Directors Council for the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, where I will have the opportunity to highlight the importance of coral reef restoration through musical performance and strengthen the bond between the science, environmental, and music communities.
Where is your favorite nature spot in Hawaiʻi? One of my favorite nature spots is the Mauʻumae Trail. It’s mostly ridgeline, and you can eat guava berries on the way when they are in season.
Who was one of your greatest musical mentors and how have they influenced you as an artist or person? I have had many important musical mentors who have helped me throughout my life, such as my high school teacher, Sato Knudsen, who played cello with the Boston Symphony and helped me get accepted into conservatory on scholarship. Additionally, my college cello professors, Margo Drakos and Andrés Díaz, helped me win scholarships for graduate school. One of my most influential mentors, Joseph Johnson of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, guided me in the audition process and helped me win several professional orchestra auditions, which started my professional career as a musician.
One of my greatest musical mentors lives here in Hawaiʻi and plays ʻukulele. I played my very first show with Jake Shimabukuro in 2017 at the Blue Note, and ever since then, he has been a guiding light. Jake Shimabukuro is a master of bringing meaning and honor to his playing, collaborating with others, and captivating audiences with his performances. He has shown me that musicianship isn’t just a craft, but a way of living life. All these special skills are transferable to any career in music, and it has been a beautiful learning experience watching him lead by example in the community.
Describe one of the most special and memorable experiences you've had onstage. I was performing a commissioned work with the National Arts Centre Orchestra for a series that highlighted women’s suffrage in Canadian history. The piece was specifically about a young girl who was a victim of internet bullying and had taken her own life. This was during the period when the internet was relatively new, and the general population was less aware of the internet’s influence. We performed the piece with a full house, and at the end of the performance, her parents were invited on stage. The emotional energy in the concert hall was tangible, and when I looked out into the crowd, I couldn’t see a dry eye. The performance had a cathartic effect on the audience. In this moment, I knew that I wanted to make music and harness its special ability to combine perspective and emotion.
Tell us about your Zero to Bach in Four Months online program. How did your teaching philosophy move you to devise an efficient method of learning how to play the cello? Learning how to play an instrument can be complex and overwhelming. However, I knew it didn’t have to be with detailed enough instruction. Breaking down every step methodically into a sequential and organized process enables students to learn faster and more efficiently. Zero to Bach in Four Months breaks down every core element and teaches you to master one new skill per lesson. By mastering one skill at a time, a student will play more accurately and consistently.
Through the video tutorials, students always have access to each lesson and will confidently know what to practice. The program is also designed to be delivered in a fun way since each lesson is filmed in a new and beautiful location on Oʻahu, so the student can tour Hawaiʻi while learning how to play. No prior musical experience is required, and it is for all ages. The program teaches you up to an intermediate level using the prelude of Bach’s Suite No.1, enabling you to play and read new music on your own. More information on the program can be found at https://cello.vhx.tv.
How do you motivate your students to practice and excel at their craft? I like to motivate my students with positivity and encouragement. I find that it is helpful to set both daily and long-term goals within the lesson. Setting and completing a goal or expectation for the day, whether small or large, always leaves the student with a positive sense of accomplishment and encourages them to keep the momentum going.
What advice do you have for the young aspiring musicians of the next generation? Study with as many people as you can and make your own informed decisions. If you are stuck, just move in ANY direction; commit to something (even if you aren’t convinced it’s the right way), and you will become unstuck and find the right path. Listen to a lot of music and discover the things you like and don’t like. Find teachers that will bring you places and create opportunities for growth.