SIMC operates under the motto “learning music beyond language barriers” and offers piano lessons in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Indonesian. The school welcomes children from nearby international schools and foreigners who may not be fluent in Japanese. To date, it has attracted students from over 10 different countries. Ms. Sushiana discusses the charm and creativity of the multilingual classroom environment.
〜 Features of Sushiana International Music Class 〜
- What is the target age range for the class?
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Our target age range is generally 5 years and older, though we occasionally receive requests from parents wishing to enroll children as young as 3. In such cases, we conduct a trial lesson to assess the child’s readiness. For instance, if a
If a 3-year-old is not comfortable separating from His/Her mother, we may recommend Yamaha group lessons, which cater to children of the same age.
As children grow, they can transition to private lessons when they are ready. I have been teaching at Yamaha for about 30 years, which allows me to be flexible in this regard. In fact, I’ve had two students who began their lessons at age 3 and are still actively learning today.
〜 International Environment and Multilingual Support 〜
- Does the name “International” imply that English is the primary language of the company?
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Yes, that is correct. We use a room in my house as a studio, and there are several American and Chinese international schools nearby.
As a result, half of our students are foreign nationals, and we have had students from approximately 10 different countries so far.
- When did you begin offering the classes?
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I started the classes gradually in 2009, but it wasn’t until 2012 that I fully launched the website. After that, I became a teaching member of PTNA, which led to an increase in student referrals. To make the most of my lesson time, I created a website that explains everything, including communication and payment methods.
〜 Background on Establishing a Classroom 〜
- You have 30 years of experience at Yamaha. Did you always plan to open a classroom at home?
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I had hoped to do so eventually. I host participatory rhythmic concerts, and after my child was born, I began to consider the idea more seriously.
When I started sending my child to preschool, I received requests from mothers I met there to teach their children, which prompted me to start giving lessons at home. Initially, I had just one or two students, but over time, the number of students gradually increased.
With children, unexpected events often arise, and I realized that I needed an environment where I could adjust my time off to fit my own schedule. However, Yamaha did not have a makeup lesson system, which made it challenging for me to manage my time. Additionally, I was unable to make decisions about how to conduct lessons independently, and there were instances when the music school was not available when I needed to make adjustments. These experiences led me to realize that I wanted to operate a studio on my own terms, so I decided to start teaching lessons at home.
〜 Balance Between English and Piano 〜
- I understand that there are international schools in the area. Are there any Japanese families interested in having their children learn piano in English?
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Yes, there are. However, some people often misunderstand that they can learn piano while also learning English. Initially, we considered that approach, but we found it challenging to communicate when students specifically requested, “All lessons are in English, please.”
Since our primary focus is piano lessons, we can accommodate those who understand English and wish to incorporate it into their lessons. On the other hand, some children who attend international schools prefer to be taught in Japanese. Regardless of the language used, our priority is effective communication with our students.
Additionally, we offer group rhythmic lessons in English at the preschool level. These lessons differ from private piano instruction, as we emphasize singing English songs, practicing simple greetings, and repeating vocabulary to help students remember.
〜 Features and Appeal Points of SIMC 〜
- Please tell us about the features and appeal points of SIMC.
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One of the most appealing aspects of our program is the ability to switch to online lessons if a student is suddenly unable to attend or accidentally forgets their lesson. This initiative, which originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now become a recognized feature of our flexible lesson system. Even if attending online lessons is not feasible, we encourage students who have practiced diligently to send us a video of their performance, allowing us to provide feedback later.
We also have students who participate exclusively in online lessons, enabling them to learn from anywhere in Japan. However, we advise that in-person attendance allows us to offer more detailed and personalized instruction.
In addition to piano lessons, we offer instruction on the electone and keyboard harmonica. I am also responsible for arranging sheet music at “Tanto Tanto Music Score,” and I can create arrangements tailored to each student’s skill level based on the pieces they wish to play.
Furthermore, upon request, we can edit performance recordings from concerts and competitions, which we then post on the Sushiana-SIMC’s YouTube channel. This helps to tangibly showcase our students’ progress.
- What is your teaching policy, and what is important to you? What do you keep in mind when you teach your students?
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First of all, I strive to identify the strengths of my students and communicate these to them in a positive manner. I emphasize that they can improve further by putting in more effort. Acknowledging a student’s efforts builds their confidence.
We also emphasize the importance of establishing a solid foundation. Even if a student claims, “I can play the piano,” they may be doing so with an unstable posture. While the piano produces sound when the keys are pressed, we focus on teaching students to express themselves musically rather than merely generating sound.
It can be challenging for young children to read music from the start, but we are mindful of gradually introducing them to it. Young children typically have a well-developed ear, allowing them to listen and imitate what they hear quickly. However, relying solely on this method might lead to frustration when they encounter more difficult pieces. Therefore, we believe children must be exposed to notes and sheet music from an early age. This helps them develop the ability to read music and practice independently in the future.
〜 About Lesson Types and Fees 〜
SIMC offers various lesson options to accommodate different schedules and preferences. Lessons typically last for 30 minutes, although we also provide the option for 45-minute lessons.
For students who prefer a consistent schedule, we offer courses consisting of three or four lessons per month at fixed times and days each week.
For those who may not be able to commit to a regular schedule, such as adults with shift work or students commuting from distant areas, we have implemented a flexible reservation system. However, we recommend that younger children follow a fixed schedule of three or four lessons per month.
〜 Future Prospects and Initiatives〜
- What do you want to work on in the future?
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I believe that the way students learn is changing. While not all students feel this way, an increasing number want to continue playing the piano but struggle to practice at home. To address this, we have adopted a supportive approach; instead of merely assigning homework, we read music together in the classroom. This collaborative effort makes it easier for students to practice independently at home.
Additionally, for students who find it challenging to practice outside of school, we want to explore ways to practice together in the classroom so we can complete songs as a group.
As students enter the upper grades, their schoolwork becomes busier, making piano practice more difficult to manage. Since learning the piano requires patience, we aim to find strategies that promote a long-lasting and enjoyable experience for our students.
〜 Message to Those Interested in Learning Piano at SIMC 〜
Dear Prospective Pianists,
At our school, we offer piano lessons tailored to meet a variety of needs. Whether you aspire to participate in competitions or take charge of accompanying others at school, we can customize the lesson content to suit your individual goals.
Learning to play the piano promotes brain development and enhances cognitive growth. What I value most is helping students connect with music through live instruments.
In today’s world, we have access to an abundance of digital music and can easily listen to songs on platforms like YouTube. However, I believe it is essential for students to experience the joy of performing with live sound, allowing them to express themselves uniquely. We also want our students to feel a sense of accomplishment by performing at recitals and other events where they can showcase the results of their hard work.
While there are many piano classes available in Japanese, options for those who wish to learn in English, Chinese, or Indonesian can be limited. At SIMC, we aim to support individuals who may struggle with Japanese but are fluent in English or Chinese. On our website, we provide a list of music books and presentation information in various languages to assist our diverse student body.
We look forward to welcoming you to our piano lessons and helping you on your musical journey!
Best regards,
Sushiana
Here’s the article in Japanese :
https://studychain.jp/interview/sushiana-international-music-class/