Manami KAWAMURA / Lecturer, Piano, Biola University Conservatory of Music

Majored in piano at Ueno Gakuen Junior High School, High School, and University, and after graduating, worked as a public junior high school teacher for three years.
After that, I went to the Biola University Conservatory of Music near Los Angeles.
After meeting Menahem Pressler, he proceeded to the Master's Program in Piano Performance at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
After that, he returned to the Faculty of Music at Biola University as a full-time lecturer, and now he continues to perform as a soloist and ensemble player in the United States and Asia.
He teaches at the University of Biora and Pasadena City College, and is in charge of individual piano lessons and classes for the piano department.
Students have won big and small competitions, won prizes, and went on to major music colleges and graduate schools such as Indiana University and Eastman School of Music.

Kawamura sensei: After graduating from Tokyo College of Music, I started working as a public junior high school teacher, but I wanted to study more piano.One day, to the pastor of the church I was going to at that time,
I was advised to go see the piano department chief of Biola University in the United States, and I heard from an American teacher at that church that Biola University is one of the top Christian universities in the United States.
I met that sensei and took a lesson.After the lesson, I was invited to come to Biora because I would like to give a scholarship, so I decided to quit my job and study abroad.
I was first admitted to the university with the intention of enrolling in the Master's program in church music at Biola University, and after studying abroad enthusiastically, the closure of the church music department was decided as soon as I went.
I had no choice but to take lessons with English and music classes and find the next step.
Two months later, I went to a Beaux Arts Trio concert and was impressed by pianist Menahem Pressler, who thought, "He is the ideal pianist I was looking for. I want to learn from this person!"
After that, I was able to take lessons in the Presler sensei master class, and when I told him that I wanted to learn from sensei,
He told me to teach if I came to Indiana University, which I teach, so I decided to take the Indiana University exam.
I passed the Indiana University Graduate School the following year, but because there were waiting lists of students from all over the world who wanted to get a sensei.
I waited for another sensei for a year and taught it to sensei for two years from next summer.

Kawamura sensei: First of all, the good point is ...
• There are so many wonderful sensei people in America, and we have the opportunity to teach from many sensei around the world not only in private lessons but also in summer festivals and master classes.
If I hadn't studied abroad in the United States, I wouldn't have met Presler sensei, so I'm really glad I went to the United States.
• In the United States, independence is generally required, but music is also strongly required to think and express by oneself.
By being able to train on the foundation built in Japan, I think we can become a bigger performer.
• Isn't it good for future work to be able to use English that can be understood in most parts of the world?
In fact, I have taught lessons and master classes in English not only in the United States but also in Singapore and Indonesia.
• America is a very flexible country, so if you have graduated from high school, you can go to a junior college regardless of age.
You can enter university, change your specialty at any time, and study on a schedule that suits you.
The difficulties may vary depending on the purpose.
• If you want to get a degree, I think the hard part is studying in English.
First of all, no matter which school you take, you will need to score more than the specified score in English tests such as TOEFL.
If you enter from university, general education will also be in English, so a wide range of English proficiency is required, and if you enter from graduate school, only music classes are required, but deep analytical skills and literacy skills are required.
• In the case of obtaining a diploma or performance certificate, the number of required classes will be reduced, although it depends on the school.
The need for English proficiency is reduced.Instead, there are more challenges, such as more concerts.
• When participating in summer festivals, etc., there are almost no such rules, but
The higher your English conversation skills, the more fruitful your lessons will be.

Kawamura sensei: It's easy to think that tuition fees are high in the United States, but many music colleges and music departments offer scholarships (no repayment) depending on the results of auditions (practical exams).
The amount has been rising recently.Some schools also offer scholarships based on academic performance and scholarships for international students.
Most of my students received scholarships for both university and graduate school, and in some cases, they received almost the entire tuition fee.
There are also positions to work as assistants and accompaniment.In my case, I worked as an assistant at Indiana University, and the tuition fee was completely exempted, and I was paid enough to cover the rent of the apartment every month.
There are many very talented Japanese students, so there should be a great chance to get a scholarship.
It's not difficult if you prepare well.I have listed the following ideas for each purpose as to what kind of preparations should be made.
For the purpose of obtaining a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctoral degree
• First, study English. Please study TOEFL firmly and aim for a passing score or higher.
• At the same time, of course, we will hone our practical skills, but we will check the subject songs of the audition of the school of choice, the method of the primary and secondary examinations, etc., and create a repertoire according to it.
Since the assignment songs and time control differ considerably depending on the school, we will research thoroughly and select songs effectively.
Also, since recordings are often sent to the first screening these days, it is necessary to prepare systematically to submit the best possible recordings.
(Pass / fail depends on the quality of the recording.)
If you proceed to the second exam, we recommend live audition rather than recording.
If my students are aiming for graduate school, they will spend about two years preparing by accumulating performance experience through repertoire making, concerts, master classes, competitions, etc.
• Regarding how to decide which school you want to study, I try to choose sensei rather than school based on the experience of myself and my students.
No matter how famous the school is, if you are taught by a sensei that doesn't suit you, it can be a waste of time and effort.
Therefore, I will contact sensei, which I am aiming for, from a very early stage, or participate in master classes, summer festivals, etc. to teach me so that I can confirm compatibility with sensei.
Then, let the school that sensei teaches be the school of your choice.
For the purpose of obtaining a diploma or performance certificate (Artist Diploma, Performance Certificate, etc.)
• Prepare the repertoire according to audition regulations (see above)
• Check for English exams such as TOEFL, passing scores, etc. and respond accordingly.
• Understand whether the classes and concerts required to obtain a diploma after enrollment are suitable for you.
• Check for scholarships.
When starting from a junior college
• If you are worried about entering a university suddenly and want to start from a slightly easier place, a junior college may be a good choice.
You can complete a music class or general education in the first or second year of the university music department at a slightly easier level than the university and transfer to the university.
• Tuition is cheaper than college, but in most cases there are no scholarships.International music students may be cheaper than a junior college if they receive a scholarship from a university.
• Please note that the quality and level of individual lessons varies considerably from school to school.
• English exams such as TOEFL, audition methods, etc. differ depending on the school.
When participating in summer festivals, etc.
• In addition to the famous large festivals, there are also many medium-sized festivals that are easy for high school and college students to attend.
You will be able to meet sensei and experience lessons in English, which will be an opportunity to think about studying abroad in earnest.
• Check application deadlines, audition rules, participation fees, etc. (Depending on the festival, the deadline may be around November of the previous year.)
• Find out if you can participate in the competition in the festival.
(Many festivals have concerto competitions, and if you choose, you can play with the orchestra. Please check the rules of the songs and how to apply.)

Kawamura sensei: Los Angeles is a melting pot of races, so I haven't really felt the difference between races.

Kawamura sensei: Until now, I was doing my best to do my job, but at the same time as I continued to push forward,
I hope that the experience I have accumulated over the past 30 years can be used to help junior sensei and Japanese students.

Kawamura sensei: In the United States, I think it is necessary to make efforts to keep people admitting that they are the people they need, wherever they belong.
For that purpose, do you try to show your own personality?
Being aware of your strengths and using them to accumulate small successes and contributions may be the key to working for a long time.
Also, if you understand the various differences between Japan and the United States, it may be difficult for you to have a mental conflict.
For example, Japan takes time to start a new thing, prepares it perfectly, and then starts moving, but the United States changes things that don't work at any time.
Also, Japan tends to be quality rather than quantity, and the United States tends to be quantity rather than quality.Japan values ​​precedent, but America likes new ideas.
And Japan is careful not to fail, but the United States is careful not to be shy.
Of course, being diligent, responsible and supportive is important everywhere.

I think studying abroad is not difficult if you do research and prepare systematically.
The better you prepare, the better you will get.However, please be careful as it may fail if you come vaguely.