Maiko ONO / Jazz Drums / The New School / New York, USA

We will ask you about music colleges, music colleges, music classroom course programs, local living information, etc. that only those who have experienced studying abroad in music can understand.Please use it as a reference for yourself in the future.
 
Maiko ONO
This time, we interviewed Maiko Ono, who is studying jazz drums at the Jazz & Contemporary Music Department at The New School University in New York.What is her life in New York, where Ono is also active in Japan, such as performing live activities in Japan?

I'm from Oita City, Oita Prefecture, and I'm an only child.After graduating from Kumamoto University, I was involved in music activities while helping my parents' jazz cafe.I am currently studying at the Jazz & Contemporary Music Department of The New School in Manhattan.

It's been a year and a half since I moved to the United States in January 1.

In Japan, I was engaged in music activities while helping my parents' jazz cafe.

I joined a big band in college and started playing drums.Since my dad is a drummer, I used to play around when I was little, but I started in earnest after I entered college.

When my friend's guitar list came to the United States, I also wanted to study in New York.

I agree.I started listening to jazz when I was in elementary school because of my father who loves jazz.My father took me to various live houses.I am very grateful.
 
Friends of The New School
The New School College is a very famous place to study jazz, so I've always been interested in it.The drummer I became friends with when I first came to New York on a trip was about to enter The New School, so I heard a lot from him and started to want to enroll. I started preparing for admission.

I stayed in New York for XNUMX months from September XNUMX and auditioned during that time.All application procedures were done in New York.My dad sent me a bank balance certificate by fax, and I also had my university transcript sent from Japan.After that, I made a self-appeal essay and submitted it to the school.

The trick to writing an essay is to show off your good points.It's easy to feel embarrassed because of the Japanese character, but that's a mistake.It is important to understand your own good points, and it is meaningless unless you appeal it. I think the word "humility" does not exist in the United States.

I haven't studied in particular.I just attended a language school for a while.
I have not received TOFEL.I was exempt from TOFEL by studying in the English Department of The New School for a month before enrollment.

I started preparing in earnest four months ago.

I was worried if I could speak English.

Immediately after studying abroad, I couldn't speak at all.

After all, it is a city where wonderful jazz musicians live and play an active part.

I have my father support me.

The number of students is not so large, so both the students and sensei are close to each other like a family.I think the atmosphere is very good.
 
With members
Is it about XNUMX% American, XNUMX% Israeli, XNUMX% Korean, XNUMX% Japanese, and XNUMX% European?

There are about XNUMX people.

There are currently about XNUMX drummers in school.The woman is another one besides me.I think the drums are my father's influence.

I like the place where I don't care what others are doing.In Japan, when it's popular, everyone wears it and carries it with them.It seems that there is no such custom here.I feel like I'm wearing what I like, eating what I like, and listening to what I like.It's easy, isn't it?I feel that everyone is living while appealing to themselves without shoulders and elbows.

I learned music jargon at school.

Studying music theory, jazz history, ensembles, drum techniques, and much more.

In the ensemble class, I play while watching the music that sensei brought, and I play the original songs that the students brought.It feels like sensei makes comments after the performance.

There is a list of sensei, but any musician living in New York can choose.It is very safe because the school will contact the musicians.

Depending on the sensei, my private lesson, sensei, will answer my questions politely.Also, you can rest assured that everything you taught after the lesson will be written in your notebook.

I am practicing in the practice room of the school.The main practice is basic practice while looking at the instructional book.Occasionally I invite my friends' saxophone players and bass players to have a session in the practice room.I can practice at home in the daytime, so I do it once in a while.

I have sessions here and there almost every day.

At first, I couldn't understand English and it was difficult.

I'm at school from morning till late at night.It's like practicing between classes.

I have a lot of acquaintances with Japanese musicians, so I think I have some tips.

I thought it would be interesting that no one would care about anything, even if they took classes while eating sweets or lay down and took classes. sensei also teaches while drinking coffee.But it's not that serious.Everyone actively asks questions, and if they think that sensei is wrong, they actively point out.I was surprised at first, but I wondered if that should be the case.

I go to listen to live concerts, watch movies, and go to museums.Recently, I'm addicted to cooking, and I'm cooking while looking at a cookbook.I'm studying Texas food.

I have a lot of American and Korean friends.Anyway, I think it's about trying to speak, forgetting that you're not good at English.

I'm renting a two-bedroom room.

Is it about $ XNUMX?

It's about XNUMX to XNUMX hours.

If it's a normal conversation, I'm talking without any trouble.Understanding movies is still difficult.

In terms of study, it's English anyway.I haven't had any problems in my life.

I don't think it has changed in particular.

It depends on the location, but isn't it a good one?

Schools are not properly managed like in Japan.I forgot to send the documents, I lost the documents I sent, and so on.It often happens that it's too late if you just trust.Take early action! !! !!

I met a great musician and a great friend.

Even after graduating from school, I would be happy if I could start music activities in New York.