“Everyone has a dream,” contends Tomoko. She knows from
experience. Tomoko has had many dreams, and she has made them real.
As a child, she dreamed of learning how to play the piano.
Her parents enabled both Tomoko and her older brother to take lessons.
Tomoko dreamed of studying piano at the best university for
music in Japan. Competing against 500 applicants, she was one of 18 who were
accepted at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music: her dream
university. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with highest honors, and was a
post-graduate student. However, she left school to follow another dream.
Even as a high schooler, Tomoko wanted to venture abroad.
From her school she could gaze at the Yokohama harbor. The port stood for
activity and the open sea. “I will play the piano in freedom in America some
day,” Tomoko promised herself.
Her dream of America came true because UCLA professor Dr.
Herbert Jan Popper saw her piano performance in Tokyo. He was impressed with
her talent, and told her about the U.S. and its opportunities. He was able to
get her to be listed along with a group of Japanese singers for a Japanese
opera that was going to be performed for UCLA. He advised her to apply to the
Conservatory of SF because the paper work was relatively easy. Tomoko took his
kind advice, and was able to live her dream in America.
Tomoko dreamed of winning a piano competition. While a student
at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, she won the San Francisco Symphony
Foundation Audition program as well as a Young Adults Award sponsored by the
Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra and the Junior League of Fresno. Leter she
competed internationally.
Now as a teacher, Tomoko helps her piano students to dream,
and helps them realize their dreams. “Giving a dream is important,” she says.
Tomoko gives them a dream of a gift: the piano.
