Tomoko graduated twice from college: with a music bachelor’s
degree from Tokyo National University and a music bachelor’s degree from San
Francisco Conservatory of Music.
In 1961 Tomoko felt prepared for her graduation and a music
career. She put on her best Western-style dress and gloves for her graduation,
and stood in the front of her class, exemplifying a modern professional
Japanese woman. Tomoko was proud that she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree
with highest honors. Her parents’ declaration, that whatever one pursued it
should be done well, was personified in Tomoko.
The next year, Tomoko immigrated to the United States, and
started her musical study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Four years later, she graduated again. And
Tomoko was not leaving the Conservatory; she had been asked to join as a
faculty member: the first Asian and only the second woman!
The morning of that second graduation Tomoko dressed up again as she did for her
first bachelor’s, but now proudly wore the traditional black graduation gown
and four-cornered cap. She hurried to the Conservatory where the ceremony would
soon commence. Tomoko actively listened to the welcoming speech and the various
speakers. At the same time she kept her own performance time in the back of
her mind. When her name was called during the ceremony, Tomoko took a deep breath, calmly strode to
the piano, seated herself with aplomb, and raised her hands gracefully. Then
her intelligence, her emotions and her muscle memory merged as she played as
she meant to: a true professional. The warm applause confirmed her own feelings
of pride for her double accomplishment.
