Earlier this year, Ambassador Hayashi launched the Green Park Youth Concert Series - an initiative intended to showcase talented young Japanese musicians. As the Ambassador wrote in his April blog entry "Western classical music was only introduced to Japan around 150 years ago. Although it was initially welcomed as a novelty in line with people’s yearning for Western-style modernisation, Japanese people have really taken it to their hearts. These days Japan boasts a significant number of gifted young musicians, many of whom come to European cities such as London to pursue their studies."

The first in this series of concerts was a piano recital by Ms Marina Koka in March 2014. Ms Koka had only arrived in the UK a few months prior to her performance to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Since then she has performed at a number of concerts and recently competed in the The Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artists Competition where she was the overall winner of the three sections, piano, stings and wind. We caught up with her for a short interview.

Where in Japan were you born, and where did you grow up?

I'm from Kanagawa Prefecture. I have lived there all my life. This is my first time living alone here in England.


Why did you become interested in classical music?

Both my parents are pianists. I would always hear piano music at home. I grew up playing with the piano as a toy! From about 4 years old I began formal lessons. At first I learnt from my father but it's difficult to learn from one's parents and they soon found me another teacher. However, when I was a child I found it really difficult to sit still and concentrate.

Ambassador Hayashi with Marina Koka after her performance at the
first Green Park Youth Concert

In the end I joined group lessons where several children play and sing together. I got used to sitting in front of the piano that way. I had lessons until I was a second year pupil at Elementary School, but then I actually gave up! There were too many recitals and concerts, and all my free time was spent practicing. I couldn't play with my friends. I also didn't get along with my teacher well. My parents gave me the choice to change teachers or give up - so I chose to give up! If I hadn't then met my next teacher - I would have given up completely. My father introduced me to her the following year when I was 8 years old, and I have been with her ever since. She really understood me, but she lived very far away, I would travel so far to have lessons with her and in the end I thought that I really should practice hard if I'm spending a lot of time to travel for her lessons.


Why did you come to the UK?

I have always preferred playing piano outside - not just stay at home and play. A lot of people said that I would suit going abroad so I thought that maybe after graduating from University I could go. I was studying German so thought at first that I might move to Germany, but I had been there as a student and I wasn't convinced it was lively enough for me. I wanted to go somewhere like Ikebukuro (in Tokyo) where I had been living during my University days, so I chose London because it reminded me of there! Also, I thought that studying English would be better as it is more widely used. I had problems getting on a course though as my English level wasn't good enough. As I was about to reapply, I heard from a professor I had met before on his visits to Tokyo. I really wanted to study with him and he is from the Guildhall School of Music. They have an Artist Diploma course, and although the deadline was very close he encouraged me to apply.


Can you tell us about some of your experiences here? (For example, studying in the UK, playing various recitals.)

The lessons and lectures on my course are very interesting. It is very self-reflective. Especially the essay writing. We must think about how we can grow as an artist. The course encourages you to think about things by yourself - how to improve the way I practice and look after my body. Also, I can attend a lot of lectures by other highly regarded musicians.

Since being in the UK my professor has put me forward to play at various different events. I was very nervous at first, and although I have a lot of experience playing in Japan, I didn't know anything about the competitions and concerts in the UK that I was being put forward for, and didn't know what to expect. At one point I really thought it was too much for me, but I realise that there are so many opportunities to play and get experience. And I've had a chance to get people to know my name. Playing at the Embassy was especially memorable because I had only been in the UK for a while. It was my first time living alone and I didn't go out and meet people so much. I couldn't speak English so well either so I was finding it hard. The Embassy event was a really big event for me and I felt a lot of pressure especially since it was the first in the series of Green Park Youth Concerts! But people were very kind. I made a lot of contacts and many people came to support me at other events. My next big event will be performing at the Barbican Centre with the Guildhall Symphony Orchestra on 19 March 2015 - a real once-in-a-lifetime chance! I'm looking forward to it as I can play the same piano as Evgeny Kissin!


Congratulations on your award at the The Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artists Competition. How was your experience of the competition?

The competition took place in the countryside so the atmosphere was very different to any other competition I have experienced. It was so enjoyable and didn't feel like a competition at all. The venue was an organic farm and the feeling was very 'at home', with flies buzzing around, birds and other animals calling out nearby. I stayed there for a week with a host family - a very lovely home! During the competition itself I caught a cold, but although I made some mistakes, I still felt very comfortable playing. I think it's great that you can take part in such competitions in the UK - I don't think it would happen in Japan! After this experience, I feel that I will be able to enjoy playing in other competitions more.


How has your experience in UK influenced your music?

There are lots of things I feel that have changed. I have realised my own style, and also what it is to be Japanese. In Japan you don't feel so free to play in your own way - rather you are supposed to play in a particular style. In the UK you are taught not to hold your individuality back! Teachers don't tell you to play a certain technique - to play beautifully in your own natural way is considered to be more important.


What are your plans for the future?

I'm considering what to do now. I would like to continue to study in the UK but it is quite expensive! If I go back to Japan I'd like to be a pianist playing duo-piano. But it's difficult to make a living as an unknown pianist in Japan. Unlike in the UK, I don't think that 100 people would get together to watch an unknown pianist! Classical music seems to be more something that people listen to on CD in Japan than go to see live. It's great that the Embassy here hosts concerts to give opportunities for students to play pieces for the people who love classical music. I would definitely recommend other young classical musicians to come to the UK!

JICC