Shaping the People Who Shape the Future of Music

June 4, 2025

At the Hamamatsu International Wind Instrument Academy & Festival, world-class performers mentor the next generation of musicians. At the Yamaha Technical Academy for wind instruments, experienced repair technicians pass down their skills to aspiring professionals. Though their focuses differ, both programs share a deep commitment to cultivating future talent — opening doors for students and supporting them in carrying musical culture forward.

Teaching That Resonates

Skills can’t be passed down through one-way instruction alone. Whether in musical performance or instrument repair, true learning stems from mutual understanding between teacher and student.

At the Hamamatsu International Wind Instrument Academy, lessons last just five days — but within that short time, something powerful takes place. Because both students and instructors pour their energy into each session, a deep bond begins to form. Nobuaki Horiba, who oversees the event’s planning and management, says there are always students who are moved to tears by the end of the program.

“I think they’re moved because they can sense how seriously the instructors are engaging with them,” he explains. “The instructors genuinely want their students to improve, and the students are doing their best to rise to that challenge. I believe it’s the passion of both sides resonating with one another.”

Takateru Nobuki, a full-time instructor at the Yamaha Technical Academy, shares a similar perspective. He believes that truly passing on skills begins with understanding the person in front of you. Nobuki takes time to learn about each student’s background and values, aiming to connect rather than to simply lecture. By working alongside them and keeping them engaged, he believes the skills are far more likely to take root.

Opening Doors to the World

Another quality the Hamamatsu International Wind Instrument Academy & Festival and the Yamaha Technical Academy share is their growing connection to the world over the years.

The Hamamatsu International Wind Instrument Academy offers a rare opportunity to receive world-class instruction and assess compatibility with potential mentors. It’s not uncommon for students to decide to study abroad as a result of their experience. Horiba hopes the program will continue to encourage students to spread their wings and take on the world.

Meanwhile, in the case of the Yamaha Technical Academy, Nobuki says the door to the world “was opened from the other side.” In 2024, a student from Taiwan enrolled, despite there being no official promotion overseas. After researching the program and reaching out directly, the student came to Japan with a strong determination to master repair techniques.

As a global company, Yamaha sees supporting talent worldwide as part of its mission. With the program’s 50th anniversary approaching, Nobuki is more committed than ever to building on that mission and extending the Academy’s reach.

From One Professional to the Next

Both initiatives are grounded in the belief that professionals learn best from professionals. Certain lessons and techniques can only be gained by observing true expertise firsthand — whether it’s through a masterful performance or the fine-tuned craft of repair.

The instructors at the Hamamatsu International Wind Instrument Academy are themselves shaped by the guidance of world-class performers. Now, they pass on that knowledge — not only to young musicians, but also to professional orchestra members and music college faculty, who often sit in on lessons to gain insights into how to teach effectively. “Keeping performances and lectures by leading artists open to the public is essential,” says Horiba. “As a company committed to the growth and spread of musical culture, it’s something we take seriously.”

Nobuki of the Technical Academy also emphasizes the importance of professionals teaching professionals. When instructing students in repair techniques, he often shares his own real-life experiences — a teaching approach he learned from one of his tuba teachers during his student days. “Hearing firsthand stories from a professional helped me truly absorb what I was being taught,” he reflects. “That experience shaped how I teach today. Rather than just telling students what to do, I share how I’ve personally faced and overcome challenges. It’s those lived experiences that make it truly possible to pass on the craft.”

When an instrument is made, the craftsperson pours their heart and soul into its creation. It’s the repair technician’s role to preserve that spirit, maintaining the instrument in its best possible condition. The artist then uses it to bring music to life. Together, they support and elevate the culture of music. Perhaps Yamaha’s greatest strength lies in its ability to support this entire process from beginning to end.

The Hamamatsu International Wind Instrument Academy & Festival nurtures musicians who may one day shine on the world stage. The Yamaha Technical Academy trains the technicians who support them behind the scenes. Both are dedicated to shaping true professionals through uncompromising instruction. Rooted in the wisdom of their predecessors and evolving with the times, these initiatives carry the baton forward — shaping well-being through music, one generation at a time.

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