Vocalist, Pianist, and Composer Brings Teaching and Performance Experience to Yamaha
Lexington, MA, December 13, 2011 - Yamaha Music School of Boston is pleased to announce that Jihye Kim has joined the faculty and will begin teaching in February, 2012. Jihye will be teaching Yamaha Music Education System (YMES) classes, and private lessons in voice, piano, and violin.
About her new pos
ition, Jihye says, "I'm very excited and grateful to be joining such a wonderful, talented and welcoming faculty. The Yamaha method is an incredible tool for nurturing and developing young talent and I look forward greatly to learning about and contributing to it."
Jihye has 10 years of teaching experience, working with children through adults, specializing in jazz and contemporary styles for voice, and classical piano and violin. Originally from Toronto, Canada, she is an active performer in Boston and New York-based ensembles and projects.
"Jihye has the unique combination of musical and pedagogical skills to help bring the Yamaha teaching philosophy to life in the classroom, especially in the areas of keyboard performance, improvisation, and singing," states School Director Jim Keenan. "She also demonstrates a genuine dedication to teaching beginning musicians and adults."
Jihye holds degrees in mathematics and music from McMaster University (Hamilton, ON) and Humber College (Toronto), respectively, and recently completed the MM in Jazz Performance at New England Conservatory.
Yamaha Music School teacher Rebecca Helm recently returned from the
World Teacher Forum in Tokyo, Japan. It was an honor for her to be invited by
Yamaha Corporation of America (Buena Park, CA) and the
Yamaha Music Foundation (Tokyo) to represent the US at the Forum, where she met Yamaha teachers from twenty countries around the world. Along with Kathy Anzis, Director of Teaching Training, and Mike Morrell, Manager of Music Education, Rebecca gave a presentation on the teaching sequence of the Yamaha curriculum. The presentation used footage from a
Junior Extension Course 1 class and
Junior Music Course 3 class right here at Yamaha Music School.
During her stay in Tokyo, Rebecca sat in on a few Yamaha classes. Although she couldn’t understand what was being said in Japanese, she was
still able to understand exactly what the teacher was asking the kids to do. “I realized that everyone who participates in the Yamaha curriculum is part of a huge, global picture,” she says. “Students and teachers all around the world are using the same curriculum and speaking the same language: the language of music. The international scope of the method impacts teachers, parents, and students.”
Rebecca also had the exciting opportunity of attending the
International Junior Original Concert (IJOC) at Mirai Hall in Yokohama. Twelve outstanding composers, all under the age of fifteen, performed their original compositions. They hailed from all over the globe, including Italy, USA, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan. “It’s amazing to think that all of the kids on that stage started with Music Wonderland, Junior Music Course, or Young Musicians Course,” Rebecca says.
About the experience, Rebecca says, “It was gratifying to see what these young musicians had accomplished. More importantly, I know that all of our students have the opportunity to develop their own musical creativity. Yamaha’s comprehensive approach, including early ear training, rich experiences in the group lesson, and cultivating musical sensitivity and imagination provides a strong foundation for composition.”
For over 30 y
ears, the Junior Original Concert has inspired audiences around
the world by showcasing the exceptional musical talent of the next generation. On July 31, 2011, YMS Boston student Kento “Kent” Ishii performed his original composition at the National Junior Original Concert in La Mirada, CA. Kent was one of 11 student composers selected from Yamaha schools across the US.
The piece, “Departure,” describes Kent’s journe
y from Japan to the United States a few years ago, and the sadness, thrills, and joys that he found in leaving old friendships and places, and finding new ones. Kent’s piece was chosen from hundreds of other original compositions by talented young musicians across the country, and his performance was broadcast live on the web.
Kent began studying music at age three in the Music Wonderland program at the Yamaha Music School of Tokyo. When his family relocated, he transferred to YMS Boston and joined the Junior Special Advanced Course (JSAC). He takes private lessons with Ayako Hattori, and studies composition with Aaron Jackson. Kent and his parents, Tomoe and Toru Ishii, live in Arlington, MA.
You can watch Kento's performance on the Yamaha Hub by clicking here.
Yamaha Music School Boston Kicks-Off Fall Semester with Open House on Saturday and Sunday, September 10th and 11th.
Weekend Event Features Over 20 Preview Lessons
Families can register to reserve a space in one of Yamaha's popular music classes for beginning musicians:
Preview lessons are a fun and informative way for parents to evaluate the Yamaha class 'in action' with their child! Led by an experienced and certified Yamaha teacher, families jump right with and participate in the primary activities unique to the Yamaha class. Each lesson lasts for about 30 minutes, followed by a 15-minute question and answer session.
The Open House also features information sessions, tours, and student performances.
Click here to reserve a space in one of the preview lesson classes. Space is filled on a first-come, first serve basis.
More About the Yamaha Music School Boston
Music Lesson Schedule Enrollment Yamaha Music Education System (YMES)
Faculty Frequently Asked Questions What Parents and Students Are Saying
YMS Boston Student Kento Ishii to Perform on National Concert
Join us for the live web broadca 
st of the 2011 US National Junior Original Concert. Outstanding Yamaha Music School students from throughout North America will perform their original compositions, including YMS Boston's very own Kento Ishii.
Click here to watch the concert live on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 7pm EDT / 6pm CDT / 4pm PDT.
For over 30 years, the Junior Original Concert has inspired audiences around the world by showcasing the exceptional musical talent of the next generation. You won’t want to miss the 2011 concert featuring 11 gifted children age 7-12.
About YMS Boston Student Kento Ishii
Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Kento Ishii began his musical studies at the age of 3 at Yamaha Music School of Tokyo, studying singing, keyboard activities, and listening to music at the Music Wonder Land. After he completed the Junior Music Course, he has joined the Junior Special Advanced Course, studying piano, and composition, ear training, and music reading and writing.
With his family relocated to Boston when he was in the first grade, he transferred from Yamaha Music School of Tokyo to Yamaha Music School of Boston in April 2010, thanks to the Yamaha international network. He is currently in the Junior Special Advanced Course 4, studying with Ayako Hattori. Kento has also been playing the violin since he was five years old. In addition to music, he loves playing soccer.
Yamaha Music School of Boston All-School Concerts
Sunday, June 19 2011
12:30 and 3:00pm
Cary Hall, Lexington
On Sunday, June 19, students from over 75 local communities will be performing in one of two Yamaha All-School Concerts at Cary Hall in Lexington, MA.
Each concert will feature 26 classes of students ages 4-12, from beginner to advanced, performing repertoire from the Yamaha Music Education System (YMES).
The concerts are free and open to the public. Click here for directions.
Program: Sat 4:30 Dress Rehearsal & Sunday 12:30 Concert
Program: Sat 6:00 Dress Rehearsal & Sunday 3:00 Concert
View Larger Map
Free & Open to the Public - Tickets Required. Click Here to Reserve Tickets.
Download the program (pdf)
Friends, Family, and Children Welcome - Reception to Follow
Donations Accepted for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association's Symphony Hall Scholars Program
Suggested Donation: $10 for individual tickets or $25 per family. Please make checks payable to MMEA/ Symphony Hall Scholars.
The purpose of the Symphony Hall Scholars is to provide support to defray the All State Music Festival registration fee so as to ensure that as many gifted and talented high school musicians as possible can participate in this outstanding and prestigious annual event. Learn more here.
Performing Works by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, and Franck
Yamaha faculty member Lucy Chen is presenting a graduate recital on Wed, May 11 @ 8:30pm at the Boston University College of Fine Arts Concert Hall, located at 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.
Lucy began teaching the YMES curriculum in September 2009, and currently has over 100 students in a wide range of classes and ages, including Music Wonderland, Junior Music Course, Young Musicians Course, Junior Extention Course, and private lessons.
-Jim Keenan
Yamaha Music School of Boston Celebrates Milestone
The very first group of Boston Yamaha students to take the Yamaha Grade 9 Exam were recently presented with their Certificates of Completion.
Taught by Ayako Hattori, the students are:
Elliot Hayes
Lily Hoyt
Renee Jiang
Melissa Murphy
Tristan Ohler
Varun Sasisekharan
Alex Zhang
Congratulations to these young musicians and their families!
About the Yamaha Grade Examination
Available to the general public, Yamaha tests students, teachers and professionals in a broad range of musical skills with the Yamaha Grade Examination System.
Since its debut, this innovative method of evaluating musical ability has inspired excellence in students and teachers in 27 countries. Since 1980 over 400,000 candidates, ranging from beginner to professional, have taken the Yamaha Grade Examination at authorized locations around the world.
Yamaha originally established in 1967 to improve and standardize music instruction by requiring teachers to achieve certain levels of musical knowledge, proficiency and teaching skills.
Examination Content
- Repertoire
- Improvisation
- Sightplaying
- Hearing (Grades 9-6 only)
Examination System Structure
Yamaha Grade Examination student grades begin at Grade 9 and progress through Grade 6. Grades 5-3 are teacher level examinations, and Grades 2 and 1 are available to anyone interested in taking a professional performance examination.
Eligibility
The Yamaha Grade Examination System is open to all music students, teachers and professionals. A candidate need not be enrolled or employed at Yamaha Music School to take the examination.
Preparation
Courses offered at Yamaha Music School provide excellent preparation for the Yamaha Student Grade Examination. For teachers, the Yamaha Corporation of America Music Education Division conducts preparatory workshops throughout the year.
Preparatory materials include: repertoire collections, workbooks for improvisation and sightplaying, collections of past exams, cd's, and a video with study guides for Piano Grade 5.
LEXINGTON, Mass. – On October 10th, Historic Cary Hall pulsed with excitement as eleven performers, ages six to sixteen, played their original compositions for a full house of over 750. Hosted by Yamaha Music School of Boston, the prestigious event featured outstanding performers from all over the US and Canada, and was streamed live online.
The concert began with a joyful chorus of sixty YMS Boston students conducted by lead teacher Sarah Corrigan and accompanied by YMS teachers Rebecca Helm and Lucy Chen. James David Jacobs of WGBH/WCRB served as the Master of Ceremonies. Ranging in nature from upbeat to contemplative, the program was especially meaningful for YMS Boston, as it featured “Dreamland,” a piece by the school’s first-ever JOC student. “We were thrilled to host the national concert, and especially proud of the performance from our first JOC student, Jennifer Murphy, accompanied by Junior Special Advanced Course students," director Jim Keenan said.
The Junior Special Advanced Course ensemble included Elliot Hayes (Chelmsford, MA), Lily Hoyt (North Chelmsford, MA), Kento Ishii (Alrington, MA), Renee Jiang (Acton, MA), Melissa Murphy (Woburn, MA), Tristan Ohler (Acton, MA), Varun Sasisekharan (Lexington, MA), and Alex Zhang (Lexington, MA). Mike Morrell, manager of the Yamaha Music Education System, stated proudly, "The outstanding performances of the students reaffirmed the strength of the Yamaha method and the high quality musical education received by students in the Yamaha Music Education System."
Adding to the excitement was the celebration of the 50th 
anniversary of Yamaha in the US. Yamaha alumni Jeremy Siskind and Laurie Kono Merchant concluded the concert with their own compositions -- Siskind’s jazz piece, “Rain in California”, and Kono-Merchant’s “Concerto in B”. Special guests from Yamaha Corporation of America also joined the celebration. Tak Nakata, President; Rick Young, Senior VP; and representatives from the Yamaha Music Foundation (Tokyo) were in attendance.
The National Junior Original Concert not only provided an afternoon of exuberant music, but demonstrated the rich opportunities that Yamaha Music Schools offer to aspiring students around the country. "The aim of Yamaha Music School activities in the U.S. and around the world is to promote an appreciation of the value of music to our culture and to foster life long active music participation by individuals everywhere," said Morrell. “The Junior Original Concert and other such YMES activities have proven to be very effective tools for accomplishing this objective."
Click here for photos! You can download the program here: docs/2010_JOC_program.pdf Video coming soon. 