BUENA PARK, Calif. — Shuji Ito, President of Yamaha Corporation of Japan and the Yamaha Music Foundation, recently visited the new corporate Yamaha Music School in Lexington, Mass. During his visit, Miki Yoshimori, General Manager of the Music Education Division, spoke with Mr. Ito about the Yamaha Music Education System and the Boston area school.

President Ito with YMES GM Miki Yoshimori

Mr. Yoshimori: After three years of study and preparation, we finally opened the new school with nine classes starting in January 2006.

Mr. Ito: I'm happy to see the opening of the new corporate school in Boston. This is a milestone in the over 40-year history of the Yamaha Music Education System in the U.S. The school has an important role to play in the U.S. as a model school, teacher training facility, and research and development center. Also, since Boston is the Mecca of music education, the new school will enhance Yamaha's influence and visibility nationally and globally.

Mr. Yoshimori: One of the reasons we selected Boston was that we received inquiries from Boston area music professors who had worked with Yamaha graduates. They wanted to know more about the Yamaha Method and asked if there was a school in Boston they could visit.

Mr. Ito: Today, aside from merely running a business, more and more companies promote corporate social responsibility initiatives. While Yamaha's core business is music, for over 50 years we have demonstrated social responsibility by promoting the value of music education. Internationally, the Yamaha Music Education System has been a key component of our corporate mission and we are committed to continuing our educational programs.

Mr. Yoshimori: Actually, at the Grand Opening in April 2006, a group of current Yamaha students along with two graduates performed and demonstrated the process and results of the Yamaha Method.

Mr. Ito: I've been enjoying the Junior Original Composers (JOC) concerts at the NAMM Show every year. Each time I am reminded that this unique aspect of our business clearly differentiates us from other music manufacturers. It is not our purpose to produce elite students; our goal is for students to recognize music's value and significance in their lives. Nonetheless, after a half-century of Yamaha Music Education, many students have become music teachers and professional musicians. We are pleased with these proven results.

Mr. Yoshimori: In July we are holding our first Yamaha Music Camp, an expansion of the Yamaha Jamboree, in Washington, DC, on the east coast. Although we are still in the establishment phase of the corporate school, we look forward to the future when the Boston school will be a hub for music education activities on the east coast.

Mr. Ito: The Yamaha Method requires commitment. Although we have completed implementation, it will take time to grow the school. We should take the time to build a solid foundation for long term success. One of the keys will be to become integrated into the community, establishing roots in the local culture. Through these initiatives, Yamaha will realize its goals for Yamaha Music Education System in the U.S.

Mr. Yoshimori: Thank you very much for providing this insight into the corporate mission of music education.