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.
Kaoru AZUMA
This time, we interviewed Kaoru Azuma (real name: Iku Kawato) who is studying jazz vocals at City College of New York in New York, USA.What did she get in New York, who regularly performs live in Osaka?
− Can you give us a brief profile of yourself?
Well, in Japan, theory is my own style, and I started taking lessons about professionals when I was a junior college student.If I really wanted to do that sensei, I was told to go to New York as soon as possible, so I decided to study abroad, but due to financial reasons, I worked as a waitress and singer at a Japanese jazz bar for 6 years. I saved money.It was an environment where I could play live on site, and I also had a voice trainer.I also learned at such a school to acquire basic knowledge of classical music.
− Did you have no musical experience before going to a junior college?
I've been playing the piano for 3 years since I was 10 years old.I wanted to be a singer when I was in high school, so I studied the basics at a talent training center.I started listening to a lot of music, and I feel like I've arrived at jazz.
− Do you have any chance to become a singer?
I wanted to convey my feelings, and I wasn't the one who talked so much, so I wanted to express myself by playing or singing songs.Also, my father is an English teacher, and I've been familiar with English rhythms for a long time, and I think it's a big thing that I started listening to Western music.
-How long have you been involved in jazz?
It's been 19 years since I started taking lessons from 8.
− What grade are you currently in City College?
I am a second year undergraduate student.I have two more years left, but the financial aspect is difficult (laughs) Anyway, my goal in the near future is to graduate.After that, I will have a Practical Training Visa for one year, so I would like to think about where to base my activities while I am in New York.
-You are doing a lot of live activities, aren't you?
I have a live concert in Japan once a year.Even after graduating, I want to do it once or twice a year in Japan, and I haven't thought about whether to base in New York or Japan.
− Regarding tuition fees, how did you prepare for it?
After working for 6 years and saving, I was able to prepare for 4 years of tuition and 1 year of living expenses.It's a pain in terms of living expenses.I'm doing it while sharing an apartment and having my parents work on it.
− Regarding school life, do American universities have a lot of homework?
Friends of City University of New York
Well, there are quite a lot.Since it was a transfer, I was able to transfer 22 credits from a junior college, but I have to take nearly 100 credits here.I have a lot of homework in the music department, and most of the time I have to practice, so I practice after school or do it together in the practice room of the school.There are one or two vocal classes, and the rest is theoretical, so it's like practicing with your head while touching the piano.
-How about general education?
It's really hard because I do things outside my specialty.I'm taking math in the summer class right now, but the method is different from that in Japan, and it's a test and a slapstick.In university-level mathematics, I have to do something like analysis, and English is written on the blackboard, so it looks like a national language?It's like that.I wish I had more language skills.
-How did you study TOEFL?
I spent a year and a half studying.It was a tragic year and a half that I didn't really want to remember.I went to school while doing live work, but the score was just barely the entrance standard.At that time, I thought it would be good if I could reach the standard value, but I think I wouldn't have had a hard time if I did it at that time.
− Do you have any difficulties in your language?
After all, it is difficult to understand what you are saying in an instant, such as mathematics, and to answer it.If you can understand the meaning only superficially in terms of music, the expression will not be thick.If you have a lot of homework, you skip over and follow only the important parts, but if the content is full even in a short sentence, you will not understand how deeply you are being asked.It's possible to digest and then take a breath before giving an answer, but it doesn't seem like a catch ball. I'm finally getting used to it after a year.I didn't go to a language school at all.
-Did you have a college class right after you entered the United States?
That's right.So even if I went to eat lunch with my classmates, I couldn't keep up with the speed of talking, and when I tried to answer, it was already the next topic. I was thinking.
− Wasn't it difficult to find a place to stay at school as soon as you arrived?
I found accommodation before that while staying for 3 months on a tourist visa.I found it on the internet and kept it down.I think that you can find the property itself on the Internet, word of mouth, newspapers, etc., but it is difficult to find a place you like because there are things that you did not see even if you thought about it, such as a problem with your roommate. I think.
-Have you already moved a couple of times?
I agree.Even if you look around, you're doing that much.I think it is better to store that much energy. (Lol)
− It's a lot of work, isn't it?By the way, at school, how did you choose it?
When I was 18 years old, when the song sensei told me I should go to New York, I didn't intend to go to college.At first, I thought I should go to a language school, but if I went to a singer, I was advised that I should just study TOEFL and go to college rather than language. Because people also graduated from City College.Also, it feels like my best friend just entered City College and asked, "It's amazing," and decided here.I'm not very alone, but I think I couldn't reach City Collge by searching.
-Are you satisfied with the school?
Well, I'd like you to make a little more vocal class, but I can't move on without doing theory, so the curriculum for musical instruments is difficult for singers, but I'm doing it.How much theory is needed for a singer?How about being told?I also think that it is a very good school for jazz.
-How do you find sensei?
There are jazz workshops and public lessons.Would you like to negotiate private lessons, introduce from acquaintances, or invite them?Most of them are word-of-mouth, but it seems like there are lesson announcements on the homepage and sensei's private lessons at the university.After that, I am studying classical vocal music in a private lesson at another school.
-Why do you play both classical and jazz?
First of all, as a vocalist, the basics are vocalization.I say jazz and classical music separately, but whether it's jazz, classical music, or pop music, it's basically vocalization.Since all music is basically from classical music, when you are doing classical music, you are required to have the quality of sound, so if you don't make sound properly, you won't be able to look good.First of all, I utter a classical song, and when I hear a voice, I do it while digesting jazz.I've forgotten that I haven't practiced even for a day, so it's difficult to keep my voice if I don't do it every day.
− How do you feel about the class?
Vocals have ensemble and chorus classes, but everyone sings.The jazz singer class is solo.There is an assignment song, and it is in the form of practicing.
− How does sensei teach you?
I also do classical vocals at City College as an individual, but sensei is a person who studies vocalization and pronunciation, and he mainly cures pronunciation rather than singing.First of all, Japanese people are careful about pronunciation.I also want to sing after being close to perfection, so I'm careful about that.I have a pronunciation class for singers and I do phonetics, but it was very useful because I studied each word one by one.
− After all, do you say that Japanese people pronounce "r" or "th"?
It's not just that, you'll be careful innumerably.On the contrary, I had been doing it since I was a kid, so I was warned that "r" was a little sprinkled and too much.But even Americans are careful about this pronunciation after singing, and so are Europeans.I don't know what the standard is, but it's hard to pronounce.
-How many people are there in the class?
The singer class has a capacity of 8 or 9 people.Other classes are about 20 people.Classes with a capacity are exciting because there is an audition after registration.
− Is there anything different from Japan in your studies?
I don't know because I haven't been to a music college in Japan, but when I was taking private lessons, I thought that in Japan, the emphasis was on politely saying'pronounce' Italian and French songs. However, in the case of the United States, the meaning of songs in other languages as well as English is very questionable.Sing after understanding the meaning of each one.I think it's different.Even in English songs, do you understand and sing deeper, why this word and this expression appear here?Will be asked.If you don't understand, you may be told to teach on the spot or study, but when you think about it, I wonder how much Japanese jazz singers understand and sing. ..There are jazz research books and slang books in Japan as well, but there are many things that you can't understand until you actually come here, and there are some parts that you can't understand or study in Japan.It's a daily lifestyle or a practice.It's great that you can feel it on your skin when you try to live.
− If you can deepen your understanding to that extent, will the song feel different from before?
I agree.I feel it when I come back to Japan.When I play live, the reaction of the customers changes, and I can feel that studying in the United States is useful in this kind of place.
− You're doing a lot of live concerts in New York, right?
Jazz live
Right now, I'm just accepting that there is a story.I'm thinking of trying it because there will be a little more room from this year.
-Are you also participating in Kwyer in New York?
Since the school sensei is conducting, I am invited to do it once a week.
− How many friends do you have at school?
Is there a lot of international students?Of course I have many American friends, but I wonder if there are many Israeli and Japanese in City College.It's a very nice atmosphere with all the spirits of helping each other.People from various countries have different values, and if you get angry in a strange place, it will be difficult to collect them.Latin is good when I'm happy, but it's hard when I have trouble, so I try not to get angry (laughs).Non-Japanese people are quite loose in time, so Japanese people are the most reliable in that respect.
− What is your daily schedule like?
On days when the school is perfect, it's from 9am to 7pm.On average, it contains 3 or 4 frames, so it's about 6 hours a day.
-It was a harem about security, but is there anything you are careful about?
Even the harem is completely safe during the day.But at night, never go to places with few people, such as parks, or places you are not used to.In fact, my friend was also attacked.However, I am careful not to be afraid more than necessary, but not to show a gap.
-Are there any particular difficulties in your life or study?
Every day is a series of hardships. .. ..There are various things, but recently the gas in the apartment has stopped, and even if I am a landlord or a caretaker, I have not been dealt with, and I have not been able to do anything yet.You may end up crying and falling asleep.I also live in Harlem, but can't eat fresh vegetables?Since I'm from Osaka, I used to live a life far from natto, but after I wore it, I started to eat it.Food culture is interesting to see because it is worn by people from various countries.There are various difficulties, such as the procedure not working even if you apply for telephone or utility bills, or the plan being changed without permission.The daily challenge is how to fight and not bend your beliefs.I'm convinced that it's true when I'm told, but I realize that I have to stick to what I thought was strange. I didn't complain too much until after a year, but nowadays I'm actively trying to say anything.Interestingly, in the United States, when you say something, you can see a new way, so there is a win-win situation.It's a loss if you don't say anything.The worst thing is to think about it and suppress it.Because I will lose the most.Universities have a large number of people, so it takes a lot of time and effort to process paperwork.There are quite a few mistakes, so in such cases you have to speak loudly and say one by one.
− Do you have a moment when you feel that you have grown up by studying abroad?
There is a small problem that you no longer have to deal with.Since I live in a place with different values, each person has a different idea, and I sometimes listen to them to some extent and respond to them, or say that I don't have my own personality.By coming to the United States, I was strongly aware that I was Japanese and discovered the goodness of Japanese people.However, while having good points, it is difficult if there is no place to be aggressive, so I came to think that I would like to take care of the Japanese people's regularity, and the surroundings.
− What was the good thing about studying abroad?
It's great that English songs and jazz are always close at hand.For example, the lyrics match "My love" or "darling", so I don't use it when I'm in Japan.But in the United States, when you hear things like talking with friends or using it between boyfriends and girlfriends, you get a better understanding of each lyrics.I think that when you understand that you use it at such times, you always blend in with your English life.
Also, New York has a lot of people and things that are said to be top-notch from all over the world, so it's really nice to see the first-class at a low price.My friend's friend is a famous person, and I'm inspired, so I think I'll do my best again.I think I'm getting stronger in many ways.It may be difficult to pave the way, but when I look back on it, I feel that I have worked hard alone, and I feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.My daily life is full, but when I look back on how much I've done, I feel a sense of accomplishment and goodness that I couldn't taste in Japan.The amount of study is not odd, and I'm almost crying, but when I'm done, I feel a sense of accomplishment, and everyone has an attitude of helping each other, which is fun and I feel like trying my best. Become.If there is something you don't understand in music theory, people who understand it will take leadership and work on issues together, and I feel the real thrill of school life.I think that if you are a member of society, you will be an individual, but students as well as individuals are individuals, but I think it is very good to help each other.Anyway, it's just a word of accomplishment.
− Please give a word to those who are thinking about studying abroad.
I often feel stressed because things don't go as planned, such as problems with documents with the school and problems related to visas.For such times, you should have time and mind to spare.Then, have a clear goal.I believe that with this, the road will be visible no matter how difficult it may be.
-Thank you for today.I'm really looking forward to seeing how much Higashi will play an active role in the next two years.Please do your best!
On Kaoru Azuma's website, you can see what she is doing now.Check it out!
http://www.kaorumusic.com
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