Tomoko has loved music her whole life, and encourages people of all
ages to enjoy music. She also has many examples of livelong engagement with
music.
Tomoko has students who start taking piano lessons from her in their
forties and older. They are often
working professionals, and they bring their work ethic to the piano. “They
bring emotional maturity and dedication,”
Tomoko asserts: “Piano playing is good when you are 60 years old; you
can even start after 70. As long as you
can move your hands, you can continue to play the piano. Tomoko remarks, “Playing
also stimulates the brain, and keeps it younger.” Playing at an older age has
other benefits too. “When you get older, you may find yourself repeating
pieces,” says Tomoko. “They can be so beautiful, and give you warm memories as
well as console you.”
Likewise, Tomoko knows musical performers and teachers who are in their
nineties. Tomoko recalls Pablo Casals performing publicly at the age of 96. At
that time, in 1972, one of Tomoko’s college friends was inspired by Casals, and
flew to Arizona State University where he was playing a benefit concert to
raise money for an International Cello Library. Tomoko went along with her
friend, and met Casals at the airport. They spent a meal with him and his young
wife, who was the same age at Tomoko.
And even if people cannot play
the piano, they can enjoy and appreciate piano performance throughout their
lives. Tomoko remembers performing at the Carmel Bach Festival, and seeing many
rich ladies sitting in the audience. One woman came up to Tomoko and said, "I am
95 years old, and I love music.”
Tomoko recalls another incident. “I remember an older lady who was a
relative of the Gettys and on the San Francisco Conservatory of Music board.
She enjoyed going to the courtyard at the old conservatory building and where
she would trim the leaves and do a little garden maintenance. At the same time
she enjoyed listening to all the music coming from the windows of the three
sides of the building that overlooked the courtyard.”
Tomoko notes, “Emotion is the same, regardless of age. Spirit is timeless.”
