Every month, we like to spotlight one of our incredible Elemental Music teachers. Some of them have been teaching with us for close to a decade while others might be in their first year of working for our organization, but there is one thing that all of our teachers have in common: their dedication to the young musicians in our programs.
This month, we are featuring Dr. Yuri, our Elemental Band percussion coach. For as long as Elemental Band has existed, Dr. Yuri has been a part of it. She is one of our original band coaches and we are so lucky to have her! We hope you enjoy learning more about Dr. Yuri and her passion for music.
Elemental Music: How long have you been teaching for Elemental Music? Can you tell us a little bit about your history with the organization?
Yuri Inoo: I joined Elemental Music when Elemental Band became a part of the organization in 2013. I was thrilled when Dr. Jo asked me to coach percussion for this brand new band! I have also done other classes through EM, like bucket band and instrument making class, and I enjoyed every experience with the students.
EM: How did you get started in music? Have you always been a percussionist?
YI: I started playing the piano when I was 4. When my older sister started playing the clarinet in band in junior high school, she absolutely loved it. So, I wanted to join too. I picked percussion only because my dad said, “You should play drums.” He must have seen something in me because I never stopped playing ever since!
EM: You have a doctorate in percussion performance, and you also teach for our programs as well as at multiple universities. What inspires you to teach in addition to maintaining a busy performance career?
YI: I love working with people of all ages and all levels. I learn so much from all of my students every day, and it really does make me a better musician as a performer. Students often remind me of the joy and the reason we play music, and I love sharing my experiences with them so they continue to grow their love for making music together.
EM: What is one of your favorite musical memories?
YI: It’s hard to name just one! I will never forget my first band performance in 7th grade, and how nervous I was, but also how fulfilling it was to play in a large ensemble. That kept me going to have more memories like playing on big stages and getting to meet some musical legends. My favorite Elemental Band memory is when we lost power in the middle of a concert and the stage went pitch black, but the students just kept going. We finished the whole program with the coaches shining our flashlights from our phones at them - I will never forget that!
EM: If you could give our students one piece of advice, musical or otherwise, what would it be?
YI: Whatever you find interesting and love, just immerse yourself in it. It may not be something you will end up doing for a job, but the passion and devotion you spend for your interest (music or otherwise) will benefit and shape you as who you will become.
EM: Is there anything else you'd like to add, that you think might be interesting for our community?
YI: I have always loved making music with other people, more than playing solos and concertos. It’s a magical thing to create a piece of music in an ensemble— and you will be friends with those people for the rest of your life. I am really grateful.