Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well and healthy.
I wanted to share my thoughts on a spectacular week I had in California last week. I had an amazing opportunity to conduct the California All-State High School String Orchestra. When the past-president of CODA (California Orchestra Directors Association) Matt Mulvaney and I started discussing programming for this concert, he sent me this statement:
“As you select your repertoire for our honor orchestras, we ask you to consider programming music and composers that reflect the abundance of cultural diversity that is representative of our students across the state of California.”
I got so excited to receive this statement and immediately started brainstorming. After a few email exchanges, we ultimately selected these works:
Anne Guzzo The Bear and the Eclipse
Takeshi Yoshimatsu And the Birds are Still
Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings
CODA's commitment to diversity did not end at programming. 3 out of 4 conductors were women, and 3 out of 4 conductors were people of color. As I have written in the past, I believe representation matters, and hiring underrepresented artists, especially in positions of leadership is crucial in normalizing this practice.
From left to right: me, Dr. Rebecca MacLeod, and Dr. LaSaundra Booth
Strangely, this week made a profound impact on me as well. From the moment I stepped onto the podium, I felt a sense of belonging. Then I realized that the orchestra was made up of roughly 90% Asian students. I have conducted plenty of clinics where Asian students were the majority of the ensemble, but having CODA's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront, it brought on me an interesting reverse "representation matters" effect.
Over the next few days, I realized that I have lived most of my professional life apologetically, possibly because I subconsciously believed I didn't belong. Perhaps I always felt the need to prove to myself that I have a right to hold these positions.
It is important to point out that 1. I am aware that Asian people are not minorities in classical music in most of US; and 2. I have always been welcomed with open arms by the communities I've worked for, and nobody, I repeat, nobody has treated me like I didn't belong. This was a self-imposed notion, and I acted accordingly. (This could also be cultural or the way I was brought up.)
I have always been fortunate to have supporters who created space for me to grow. My biggest champion and mentor, Dr. Timothy Russell, always went above and beyond to provide opportunities and open many doors. My colleagues of Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and Sam Houston State University allow me to explore my potential. I now realize how crucial it is to have a community of supporters in order to thrive, and I am beyond grateful for them.
I doubt this epiphany would change my behavior going forward, but it really hit home that yes, representation does matter.
I don't have enough words to thank the CODA and CASMEC for a wonderful week and for their devotion to their students and this art form. I'm grateful for their leadership in taking concrete actions for their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The students are fortunate to have so many dedicated teachers who lead by examples. I came home with renewed hope for and commitment to the future of classical music.
With much gratitude,
Kayoko
