ついに手にした上達：終わりのないレッスンの連鎖を超えて Finally Finding Progress: Beyond the Endless Cycle of Lessons.
🇺🇸English follows🇯🇵
勿論、１４歳の娘のCが「是非この先生の元で習いたい！」と言った
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| １００周年記念時に作られたテレホンカードの写真より |
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由美江先生の中にも、吉川金造先生と同じような「社会貢献精神」を感じら
Testimonial (Full Version)
My daughter had been taking piano lessons for about five years, but she had reached a point where she was no longer improving. Around that time, I happened to come across Yumie Sensei’s website. As I read through testimonials from her former students during her time in Kentucky, I immediately felt, “We must take lessons from this teacher!”
So at the end of August 2015, I signed my daughter up for a trial lesson—and on that very same day, we decided to continue lessons with her.
Of course, the biggest reason was that my 14-year-old daughter herself said, “I really want to study with this teacher!”
Since then, not only my daughter, but I myself and my other two children—four of us in total—have all been taking lessons from her.
What Makes Her Teaching Different
It is difficult to explain briefly what makes her teaching so different, but one of the first things she emphasizes is the importance of learning fundamentals through multiple textbooks with different approaches.
The pieces in these textbooks are not always what students would choose to play for fun. However, after seeing the results in both my children and myself, I now deeply understand how essential this approach is.
Unlike simply memorizing pieces by ear, these materials are designed to develop the ability to read music accurately. Through them, students naturally learn:
- How to read notes
- Rhythm and timing
- Dynamics
- Tempo
- Proper technique
- Physical movement (such as lifting the arms appropriately)
While these may sound like basic, obvious elements, they form the true foundation of piano skills.
What is remarkable is that Yumie Sensei carefully guides students so they can overcome obstacles with minimal struggle, and she teaches them how to practice effectively.
For example, she introduces techniques such as:
- Changing rhythms (e.g., practicing in staccato or altered patterns)
- Breaking chords into smaller parts and repeating them
- Using arm movement and body awareness
- Adjusting posture and finger motion
She corrects areas that previous teachers had never addressed.
Expression and Musicality
Another key aspect of her teaching is the importance of musical expression.
Looking back, it is clear that expression cannot suddenly appear at an intermediate or advanced level. It must be nurtured from the very beginning.
She encourages students to imagine the music and express it, building this ability step by step from the early stages.
Learning Beyond Lessons
She also recommends helpful apps for improving sight-reading and shares useful websites.
Some people may feel that such detailed instruction is too strict, but I can confidently say that everything she has corrected and taught has already proven valuable in just a few months.
Our Past Experience vs. Her Approach
With previous teachers, once a piece was “good enough,” we simply moved on. Often, we were told, “Play it like this,” and expected to imitate the teacher.
While that allowed my daughter to play certain pieces reasonably well, she could not sight-read new music or learn pieces independently.
This situation continued for years, leaving us frustrated and uncertain.
Looking back, I now feel that those lessons were merely temporary fixes. Even though pieces sounded polished, the ability to play independently was never developed. In terms of both time and money, those years feel wasted.
What we truly want is the ability to:
- Read music independently
- Play on our own (accompaniment, casual playing, etc.)
A Turning Point
After starting with Yumie Sensei, everything changed.
Even my daughter, who could barely read music before, was able to restart from the very basics and, within about five months, play Bach.
Support for Different Learning Needs
My 11-year-old son has dyslexia and was diagnosed with delayed development in the left brain.
Through many discussions with specialists, doctors, and therapists in the U.S. education system, I have gained some understanding of learning differences. However, I was amazed by Yumie Sensei’s depth of knowledge in brain science.
She understands how imbalances in the brain affect learning and emotional development—even more than many specialists in public education.
In my son’s lessons, she implemented creative methods such as:
- Custom solfège exercises
- Rhythm training using stepping
- Memory training techniques
- Exercises designed to stimulate the brain
(Her level of professionalism is truly extraordinary.)
Beyond Piano: Holistic Education
She does not simply teach piano.
Through music, she nurtures:
- Concentration
- Emotional balance
- Social skills
- Independence
- Self-expression
- Healthy competitiveness
She also has knowledge in areas such as nutrition, child development, and how music impacts overall life.
Personalized Care and Dedication
She carefully selects pieces suited to each student’s level and preferences, often sending YouTube links and asking, “How about this piece?”
You can feel that she truly thinks about each student—even outside lesson time.
A Teacher Worth Respecting
Not only is her teaching ability exceptional, but she is also a person worthy of deep respect.
We feel incredibly fortunate to have met her and to be able to learn from her. It is truly priceless for our family.
Thank you so much, Sensei. Please take care of yourself and continue teaching for many years to come.
December 2015
N (Parent)
