Woodwind Master Sets Up Shop in Grand Rapids

    Yamaha is proud to welcome woodwind design master Hiroshi Nakajima. He has relocated from Japan to Grand Rapids to work with artists and developers in the newly constructed Brass and Woodwind Custom Shop. Inside the 3,000 square foot area, which was completed this summer, Nakajima and brass designer Bob Malone will team up to take the Yamaha Band & Orchestral division to the next level.
    Nakajima arrived in April from Hamamatsu, Japan, where he had been working as a member of Yamaha's clarinet design team for the past eight years. He has worked with soloists and performers from orchestras around the world.
    While attending the Kyushu Institute of Design, Nakajima became fascinated with the study of acoustics. He also began to study the bassoon, and later, clarinet. His love of music and fascination eventually led him to Yamaha and musical instrument design. He joined Yamaha's clarinet design department in 1993, and was an integral part of the team that designed Yamaha's V series clarinets.
    Though he will continue to travel, home is now Grand Rapids, and he will be a valued asset to Yamaha's artist relations outreach efforts. The benefits of his wisdom and expertise are immeasurable, and Yamaha eagerly looks forward to the results of Nakajima's presence at the Grand Rapids Custom Shop. Though he is still in the process of learning English, sound and music know no language barriers.