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

Ken, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it’s been a long journey—definitely not something that happened overnight. Early on, I was teaching in four different states just to make ends meet. In between all the commuting and lessons, I carved out time to build JHMJams—a casual, homegrown pop cover video series I started in 2016 during grad school. It brought together a rotating roster of classical and jazz musicians to collaborate on arrangements by ear and film relaxed, informal performances. What began as a small creative outlet slowly grew into something much more meaningful.

Over the years, JHMJams became not just a platform, but a way to build community. Many of the people I collaborated with through the series have ended up becoming integral to the work I do now. That’s how I met the musicians who would become my bandmates in Empire Wild. It was also how one of our followers discovered our work and encouraged us to apply to Concert Artists Guild—which we did, and thankfully won. That opportunity gave us management, touring, and a wider platform. More recently, someone who had once participated in JHMJams became a Broadway contractor and brought me onto The Last Five Years, which I’m currently performing in.

Building JHMJams also pushed me to learn how to use cameras, microphones, and editing software—not because I planned to, but because I needed to. And now, those skills have become part of how I make a living, whether that’s photography, audio/video production, or creative consulting. Social media, too, has become a space where I’ve been able to offer services, connect with audiences, and collaborate with brands and sponsors in a way that supports my artistic life.

If you asked me whether I could have sped up the process… I’m honestly not sure that’s the right question. I don’t think I’d be where I am if it weren’t for the struggle, the detours, the mistakes, the self-doubt, and all the processing and reflection along the way. Building trust, confidence, experience, and relationships—those things just take time. And I’ve learned that the three C’s that really matter in this kind of journey are courage, confidence, and consistency.

I’m still learning, still growing, and still grateful. And I think that’s part of what makes this work so meaningful.

Ken, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who may not have heard of me before—hi, I’m Ken James Kubota. I’m a cellist, content creator, educator, and producer based in New York City. While I was classically trained at The Juilliard School, where I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Currently, I teach cello lessons at Kaufman Music Center’s Lucy Moses School in NYC, though I’m probably best known for playing the cello like a guitar.

In 2016, while still in grad school, I started a casual video series called JHMJams. Each week, I’d bring together a rotating group of classical and jazz musicians to arrange and perform a pop song by ear in a relaxed, informal setting. What began as a personal creative outlet has since grown into a community platform with over 7 million views on YouTube alone and more than 170K followers across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. The project has been recognized by outlets like National Sawdust Log, Classic FM, and The Violin Channel, and it’s opened up doors I never could’ve imagined—from performing with Laufey on The Tonight Show and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, to being invited to perform in Indonesia with my band Empire Wild, to joining the Broadway production of The Last Five Years.

Through JHMJams, I also picked up technical skills I never expected to learn—video editing, camera work, audio production, and social media management—all of which have become services I now offer to others. I’ve worked with artists and businesses as a photographer, videographer, and consultant, helping them share their stories in ways that feel genuine and creatively fulfilling.

What sets my work apart, I think, is the blend of classical training with a DIY, community-driven spirit. I care about creating spaces where musicians can collaborate, experiment, and feel seen—not just as performers, but as people. Whether it’s teaching a student to strum a cello, helping a realtor with creative video content, or supporting a fellow artist’s first promo reel, I try to bring curiosity, care, and connection to every project. I’m especially proud of the community that’s formed around this work—one that values experimentation and the courage to try something new.

What I hope comes through in everything I do is not just the product, but the joy of exploration, the openness of collaboration, and the belief that meaningful, beautiful work can come from trying things that may not be traditional.

What I love most about teaching is the direct impact I can make—not just in shaping the next generation of musicians, but in guiding individuals as they grow, face challenges, overcome obstacles, and experience the joy of progress. It’s a deeply personal and rewarding experience, distinct from performing on stage. Guiding students from diverse backgrounds has broadened my cultural awareness, while the process of helping them grow provides fulfillment, boosts well-being, and reinforces my sense of purpose and contribution to the larger community.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that stands out to me when I think about resilience goes back to the early days of JHMJams. When I first started the series in 2016, I made a promise to myself that I would post new videos every Tuesday and Friday—no matter what. It wasn’t a casual commitment; it was something I took very seriously, because I knew that consistency would be the foundation for building trust—with myself, with the community, and with the audience.

I ended up keeping that promise for years, not missing a single post until I reached 500 videos. And there were definitely times when it wasn’t easy. One moment that really tested me was during a particularly brutal snowstorm. I had a recording session scheduled in New York, but I was in Chicago at the time and my flight got cancelled. Rather than call it off or delay the release, I got on a train—over 20 hours overnight—just to make it back in time for the session, edit the footage, and stay true to that posting schedule.

Looking back, it sounds a little extreme—but at the time, it just felt necessary. Not because I thought the world would fall apart if I missed a post, but because I had made a commitment to showing up. That mindset—of following through even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or uncertain—has helped shape everything else I’ve done since. Resilience, to me, is often less about grand gestures and more about the quiet, consistent choices you make day after day.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media really began when I started JHMJams in 2016. At the time, I was still in grad school at Juilliard, and JHMJams was my escape from the intense classical training and pressure that came with that environment. I wanted a space where I could freely explore music—without the weight of perfection or tradition. The idea was simple: bring together classical and jazz musicians to arrange pop songs by ear and perform them in a casual, collaborative setting. I committed to posting every Tuesday and Friday, and that consistency—paired with content that felt genuine—slowly built an audience over time.

If there’s one mindset shift that really helped me grow, it’s letting go of the idea that effort alone entitles you to attention. Just because you worked hard on a post doesn’t mean people should engage with it. On social media, the currency is attention—and in exchange, you need to offer something of equal or greater value. That value can come in the form of inspiration, education, entertainment, or a unique perspective.

You have to approach it almost like a business. What’s your niche? What problem are you trying to solve? What are you bringing to the table that others can connect to or benefit from? Instead of thinking, “Why aren’t people watching this?”, a better question might be, “If I were a stranger scrolling past this, what would make me stop and watch?”

My advice to anyone starting out is: be patient, be audience-facing, and stay curious. You’re not just posting—you’re starting conversations, inviting people into your world, and ideally offering something meaningful or useful to them. Focus on creating genuine value, and over time, your community will find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kenjameskubota.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenjameskubota/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jhmjams
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-kubota-89198a95/
• Twitter: https://x.com/kenjameskubota
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jhmjams
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jhmjams
• Other: https://linktr.ee/kenjameskubota

  https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/lms/faculty/ken-kubota/

Image Credits

Titi Ayangade
EBAR
Titi Ayangade