We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Ishizaki a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, thanks for joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

When I first started composing, I was about 12 years old. I had never heard my music played by musicians and not the computer. One of the most educational and inspiring experiences as a young composer is to have the opportunity to work with people and hear your music played by live performers. At the time, I was playing the violin in a youth orchestra, and I told my youth orchestra director that I had started composing. She asked me if I had any pieces, and then organized a group to play my music, not just in a reading, but in a live performance where they had several rehearsals. At this early stage in my composition career, it really meant so much that she believed in me and my music. It was the first time I had ever heard my music in real life, and that act of kindness led me to want to create more.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a composer, and I have been mainly writing music for dance and orchestra recently. Through my music, I seek to foster connections between musicians and the audience through the explorations of the physicality of music performance. I find inspiration in the process of composition, leading to experiments with a wide range of instruments and sound generating methods—from acoustic instruments in an orchestra to digital sensors to rocks and zippers. Immersed in the world of collaboration, I have worked with dancers, actors, filmmakers, and visual artists, to connect the seemingly unconnected and create innovative and multidisciplinary projects.

I began composing when I was around 12 years old. I played violin and mandolin, which introduced me to a wide variety of music-making traditions and compositional styles. I began to experiment with a free online notation software and asked my orchestra directors and teachers for advice on how to learn more about composing. I fell in love with composing and the creative act of collaboration after that.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think that the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to collaborate with and learn from my peers every day.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I really hope to connect people through my music, and my compositional journey has been about researching and finding new ways to engage with audiences and musicians through music and performance.

Contact Info:

• Website: hannahishizaki.com
• Instagram: hannahishizaki
• Youtube: @hannahishizaki1837

Image Credits
Fred R. Conrad, The Banff Centre, Oliver Killig