About Maya Mikimoto
With her unique background Maya Mikimoto has a specialty in various piano-teaching methods for all ages. Her background includes psychology, human science and visual arts as well as piano and drums.
From an early age in Tokyo, she was classically trained in both art (under Keiko Negishi), and in piano (under Hiroko Kobayashi). She also had exposures to Hiroko's husband, Kenji Kobayashi. He is the former concert master at Tokyo Metropolitan symphony orchestra. As he was one of the first disciples of Dr. Suzuki, Maya was naturally drawn into different teaching styles of music and arts over the years. She graduated from Waseda University, one of the most prestigious private schools in Japan, with a thesis on brain research, which correlates to the learning and the growth of humans in all developmental stages.
"If there are 50 people, there should be 50 different learning styles. Why settle with mass produced contents?" She incorporates her experiences in teaching art at Montessori schools as well, and creates customized contents for each student.
Over 20+ years in the US, the range of the subjects that she teaches has expanded, and now includes design and home organization such as KonMari method. However, her passion always remains as "sharing the joy of living." It also reflects to her piano-performing style, which is fun and relaxed. It has attracted both beginners and experienced instrument players in different genres.
