Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Arthur Sagami. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Arthur, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I’ve been very fortunate to have wonderful role models in my parents. Perhaps not what you might expect, I believe the greatest lessons I received from them weren’t from any single moment, or special event; rather, it was in the way that they went about their day-to-day life that has most impacted me.

My Dad has always demonstrated patience, consistency, and inquisitiveness. For most of my life he worked at the same job, getting up before the sun is up, commuting several hours daily, coming home at sunset or after dark; he referees soccer games on the weekends, takes on house projects, learns new skills, continues to study, and once I started studying music, he would always have questions for me about different aspects of music. Yet, throughout it all I have never heard him complain, get angry, be too tired, or be uninterested. For me he embodies what it means to “put in the work,” and to always be striving to grow. This has been essential to me as a musician, because whether you want to learn a new skill, or even just maintain the skills you’ve already learned, you must continually be putting in the work. So, on days where finding motivation to practice is hard, I remember his example. On days where I’m frustrated, or feeling impatient, I remember his example.

Meanwhile, the greatest examples my Mom showed, and still continues to show me, were: tenacity, resourcefulness, and compassion. When my family moved up to Washington, my Mom worked two, sometimes three, or more jobs, working through sickness, injuries, and hospitalization, while raising two kids. Despite me having several different and expensive interests, she never made it a question of “If” something was possible, but rather “How” to make it happen? Going to Cross Country camp? “Got it, have fun!” I need saxophone lessons for jazz band after switching instruments for the third time, and need a ride downtown every week to get there because I can’t drive yet? “Okay, let’s go!” I have a concert that’s 60 miles away, past two major traffic zones, that I thought was tomorrow, but I just found out is actually in an hour? “We can make it!”…I was not a responsible child. I still don’t know how she managed it all. On days where students present me with extreme circumstances or lofty goals, I remember her example. On days where I feel like something is impossible, I remember her example.

Arthur, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Certainly, I’m a Woodwind Artist (Saxophone, Clarinet, and Flute) and Music Educator currently residing in Seattle, WA.

Having been surrounded by music growing up, playing music was how I learned to express myself, and after being inspired by my peers at school, I decided to pursue a career in music by attending music college; receiving my B.M. from Pacific Lutheran University, and my M.M. from the University of Idaho. Since then I’ve moved to Seattle, where I began working with school music programs, offering lessons at music stores, attending jam sessions, making connections, playing with bands, writing music, making videos, and more.

Ultimately, the work I do is to try to make someone’s day more whole through music; whether that be through performing for an audience, helping other musicians bring their vision to life, working with my private students, providing them with tools to achieve their musical goals, writing and arranging music for ensembles and schools, and offering feedback at masterclasses and adjudicating at festivals.

It’s always the little things that make me feel most proud or accomplished; anytime I see the lightbulb go off for a student when a concept clicks; anytime someone comes up after a performance and says that we made their day better; when a student gets into that school, band, or program they’ve been practicing for; or just seeing the music make someone smile or dance.

There are so many wonderful, different kinds of music in the world that I love listening to. They all have something to teach us, and one of my favorite things is learning more about them, and finding ways to incorporate them into my playing. The more we explore and learn, the more nuance and room we have for creative freedom.

Finally, I want to encourage anyone who is evenly remotely curious about learning more about music, about learning to play an instrument, creating your own music/beats, or whatever that voice is telling you to do; go do it. It’s never too late, and if you look there are people who would love to help you along your way. Music already enriches our daily lives by existing in it, and by being an active participant in music, you can experience it that much more completely.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I would say that my goal is to experience, learn, and perform as much of music, in all of it’s many forms throughout the world as I can; while my mission, as a consequence of that, is simply to make lives better through music.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

While there are many things we as a society can do to support creatives, there are two that stand out to me. First, sharing; whether it’s telling your family and friends about a band you just heard, or sharing a post on social media, Word of mouth is essential to growing a client base for creatives. Especially starting out as a creative it can be easy to get discouraged when work isn’t steady. That share may just lead to the right person seeing the creative’s work, who gives them their next gig, or commission; it may be all they needed to get through the month, or to be the affirmation to keep going.

Secondly, as a society we can engage in more creative activity. Everyone has the capacity to be creative, it is a muscle that can be developed like any other. Too often I hear remarks such as: “I’m not very creative,” “I can’t sing” and so on. The point isn’t to do it because you are good at it or not, the point is to do it because it fulfills us as people. Along the way, as you continue to use your creative muscles you WILL get better at it. And consequently, through being creative you gain a deeper appreciation for another person’s work; you begin to understand the time that went not only into creating a particular piece, but the time that got the creative to the place where they could create the piece to begin with.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.arthursagami.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthur.sagami/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArthurSagamiMusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFs_fmrGJVZepfO76tBXy_A

Image Credits
Jake Chaplin Rémy Oliver Robin