Shinobu Takagi / Professor, State University of New York, Fredonia / New York, USA

After graduating from the vocal music department of Kobe College Music Department, he completed a research student at the same university.Studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and completed an artist diploma at Boston University after graduating.He teaches vocal music at Phillips Academy and Walnut Hill School of the Arts in Massachusetts, USA.After that, he taught at the State University of New York at Fredonia.He also accompanies operas, musicals and recitals.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: After graduating from the vocal music department of Kobe College, I studied abroad at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.Graduated from graduate school.During the summer vacation, I took various opera programs.After that, I was accepted by the Boston University Artist Diploma and sang various songs in the opera department there. The Metropolitan Opera auditions in various regions every year, and when I was still at Boston University, I was selected as the second in the New England region.After that, while teaching the piano, I was studying in the accompaniment department of the Boston University graduate school, but I happened to find a job teaching vocal music at a private high school, so I quit school and enjoyed teaching at two high schools.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: That's right.That is the first time.I was a college student in Japan, so I taught a little piano.These two high schools are the first to teach as a professional in the United States.At the same time, I sang a lot of contemporary songs at Boston University's contemporary music group ALEA III, and also sang at Prism Opera, a small opera group in the Boston area.In addition, I had a lot of other experiences such as ballet accompaniment, weekly singing at church, lessons with amateur choirs, and so on.
After that, I moved to the State University of New York at Fredonia to teach vocal music.
I also like accompaniment, so I've been doing opera rehearsals and musical theater styles class accompaniment for a long time.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: That's right.When I first came to Fredonia, I was busy because I was hired for piano class and accompaniment, not for vocal music.As a member of the orchestra, I played the piano and often accompanied opera and musicals.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: I think I'm lucky.Not only vocal music but also various songs such as stringed instruments, brass instruments, and percussion instruments were accompanied, so studying and rehearsing the score every day is a big deal!It was that kind of feeling.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: Born in Kobe and raised in Osaka.The university was Nishinomiya, but I love Kobe.I think of Kobe, but my heart is always "Osaka".

Shinobu Takagi sensei: That's right!But Osaka culture is amazing, isn't it?It's full of energy, isn't it?Oh, I've turned to the side.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: I'm sorry. (Lol)

Shinobu Takagi sensei: My mother loves music and the piano lessons started as soon as I entered kindergarten.I was busy practicing piano, solfege, and musical grammar every week aiming for college entrance exams, but when I was learning Brahms' Intermezzo, Izawa sensei, who was a professor of piano at Kobe Jogakuin, said, "Let's sing that tune. I'm in trouble if you can't sing on the piano. " I guess I couldn't play LEGATO.When I think about it now, I'm sorry.After that, I was asked to have sensei in the vocal music department look at Solfege, and I was introduced to Setsuko Hirosawa, who taught vocal music at the same university, and went to the first vocal lesson in my life.As soon as Hirosawa sensei warmed up my voice, I called Izawa sensei and said, "How about the vocal music department?", And Izawa sensei was OK.This is the time when I'm in the second to third grades of high school, so I feel like I was pinched by a little fox.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: That's right.Did you say it was drafted?

Shinobu Takagi sensei: Classic music was introduced to various composers during piano lessons from an early age, so it feels like I'm used to it naturally.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: I think it suits my personality.Even so, I listened to popular music on radio and vinyl because I liked it.I also liked my mother on TV programs, so I listened to a wide range of songs from popular songs to classics.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: There are so many universities in America.Therefore, the competition rate may be too high and musical students may be left behind.The curriculum is also rich in variety, so if you make an effort, you will get your own results.You have a lot of freedom of choice.Except for the program where the performance is the main, it is important to note that if you can only practice, you will not be graduated.Those who aim for the Juilliard School have a very high competition rate.When asked about the stories of people who went to Europe, it seems that many people go there because they want to study more practical skills after finishing university in Japan or the United States.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: I think that the orientation depends on whether the student's personality and purpose are clear or not.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: That's a word.English language.And independence.As an aside, when I lived in Boston, the person who was studying abroad at MIT from Osaka was able to communicate happily every day with "Japanglish".He said that he would sell the Hanshin Tigers in English, and he made more and more friends.You don't change yourself whether you're in Osaka or Boston.It was very refreshing.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: I don't think there is either.It depends on your ability.However, in a political sense, some people don't like Japan very much, so it's better to know the world situation.You should have a lot of common sense.Otherwise, I think it will be difficult to communicate.After all it is better to have a wide field of view.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: I feel that I'm glad I'm Japanese.Japanese education and Japanese values ​​have been very useful.The rest is not to give up.After all, how to deal with people is important.In that respect, just because you're American doesn't mean you're Japanese.Some people criticized the United States only for Japanese values, but it's not that simple.It's difficult for Japanese people to understand each other.No matter where you go, human relationships are not straightforward.If you are familiar with American culture and history, human relationships will be good, so it is definitely a plus for communicating with people.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: That's right.I think music is communication, not just music.The fact that we are here now is because many people have taken care of us.Humans cannot live alone.Therefore, it is better to keep your mind open and talk with various people.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: Also, I don't think nationality has anything to do with art.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: That's right.You have to train your mind.My heart is very powerful.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: That's difficult.Because it has various meanings.It's not about defining sound, it's about defining form.When Beethoven was alive, his music was contemporary.He and we both learned from history and came to express ourselves.Thinking that way will make it even more fun.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: I hope that as many people as possible can feel the healing and joy of their hearts through music.I also hope that the students will go out to the world with such feelings every day.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: It's all about studying for the rest of your life.Also, take good care of your friends.It is also important to set up another person.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: That's right.

Shinobu Takagi sensei: You can't perform alone.I also think that the professional world has high standards in every country and every profession.Therefore, I would like you to learn not only from the world of music, but also from a wide variety of art forms, cultures, and history.

Shinobu Takagi sensei:
"Practice" -You can't learn without training, so practice as many times as you like.
"Selflessness"-I think it is important not to be "self" and to know yourself.
"Beginner"-Don't forget your original intention.
"Patience"-but have a flexible mind.
"Ichi-go-ichi-kai"-Take care of connections with people.
"Carpe Diem"-Don't forget your original intentions, thank you every day and have fun.
"Seven falls and eight wakes up"-Failure is the source of success.
"Thank you"-Because it's only once in your life, thank you for being alive and live healthy every day.
Please do your best.