Yuko Kato, piano D.M.A., Manhattan School of Music (in progress) M.M., Manhattan School of Music B.M., Northwestern University "each student is unique in his or her learning style, talents, personality, and interests. My teachers shared with me their enthusiasm and devotion to music, and provided inspiration, guidance, patience and encouragement-I try to do the same for my students." Past concerts with interview 20th Century Preludes and Etudes for Piano What we're listening to... Yuko Kato Yuko Kato began playing piano at age six after "tagging along when my older sister went to lessons. I just naturally wanted to learn to play the piano after that." Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Yuko moved to New York to attend Manhattan School of Music. Yuko teaches students of all ages, from age 5 to adult. She has a flexible teaching approach recognizing that "each student is unique in his or her learning style, talents, personality, and interests. My teachers shared with me their enthusiasm and devotion to music, and provided inspiration, guidance, patience and encouragement-I try to do the same for my students." With young children Yuko incorporates activities such as making sounds and feeling rhythms "because for the youngest students music is just as much about grasping these things as playing the piano." Yuko is also comfortable working with adults and enjoys that "I can exchange input with them all the time-they have the ability to assess how they're doing and what they want to achieve. The challenge with them is helping them overcome their heightened self-consciousness." Yuko enjoys all styles of music from classical to rock although she admits "I've yet to warm up to country!" As a performer, she doesn't choose to specialize on particular periods but rather "focuses on a piece that catches my attention at the time. I'm always looking to expand my repertoire. There are so many pieces written for the piano and I feel the need to challenge myself by exploring a bit more each time. Yuko's teachers and family are her greatest influences both in music and in life. In her free time, Yuko enjoys reading and taking walks. "New York City is such a great walking city, and a place of endless exploration."