Academy

Message (as an Academy member) to PMF supporters

What are you looking forward to about PMF?

I'm looking forward to making music with incredibly talented musicians from around the world, as well as enjoying my stay in Hokkaido! I have heard great things about both the festival and the city of Sapporo, so I look forward to fully immersing myself in the music making of PMF and the lovely environment of Sapporo.

What would you like to say to fans and supporters of PMF?

Hello! This wonderful festival is held thanks to all of you. Please continue to show your love for classical music into the future!

【After PMF 2022】What are some impressions of your time in Sapporo?

PMF 2022 was my first chance to visit Japan, and naturally it was my first time in Sapporo as well! I loved the city – it was beautiful and full of good food and fun attractions. The cleanliness and quietness of the city (at least in comparison to American cities) is something that left me in awe, and the beauty of Nakajima park, as well as the beautiful architecture of the Kitara Hall that it surrounds, remains etched into my memory until now. Aside from Sapporo, I also had the chance to travel to other parts of Hokkaido. The coexistence of bustling urban life and tranquil rural greenery is, in my opinion, what makes Hokkaido so wonderful.

【After PMF 2022】What did you take away from your time at PMF?

I cannot even begin to express in words how much I learned from my summer at PMF. It was an honor to play alongside some of the most talented young musicians around the world and receive tutelage from legendary musicians of the greatest orchestras in Europe and the U.S. I was able to learn about, and adapt to, different styles of playing from various countries across the world, and through this I was able to unlock new and better ways of approaching the music I play.

【After PMF 2022】What advice would you give to people thinking of auditioning for PMF?

For one, I believe it is important to carry with pride and not be ashamed to show your own personal style as a musician. As much as PMF is an orchestral program where you need to blend your style with other players, you will have chances to showcase your individual playing style through chamber music concerts and masterclasses – moreover, everyone will benefit and learn from you if you have something unique to bring to the table. Simultaneously, however, I also believe that you will learn the most at PMF if you keep your mind open to different styles – you will be exposed to styles and tutelage from a myriad of backgrounds, some of which will suit your palate and some of which will not. Yet I believe every style carries something of value – the more “cosmopolitan” your understanding of music, the more flexible of a musician you will be, and the more colorful your playing will become.