We recently connected with Mari Hashimoto and have shared our conversation below.

Mari, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I think the most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is when I gave a “lecture” recital at a nursing home. It was an informal concert where I performed popular selections of classical music with fun facts and history. It was one of the most enjoyable concerts I gave where I got to interact with the audience. It was a mixture of audience members who had never gone to a classical music concert and those that played an instrument growing up. I recall someone telling me that they didn’t have nice enough clothes to go to a classical music concert growing up or that they were scared to go because they didn’t know when to clap. That concert paved the way for my current project, which is to make classical music more accessible to everyone. I think anyone can enjoy classical music and what you do for a living or what you wear should not matter. I like to teach others that composers were or are just like us and that they just wanted to tell stories whether it’s something from their life or an actual literary work. There are many classical pieces that are composed based off of stories, poems, visual artwork, etc. And I like to use these as well as history to make classical music more accessible. So I’m currently working on performing at local libraries, community centers, and homeless shelters.

Mari, 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?

I am a musician and teacher. I currently teach remotely with a violin learning app called Trala, and I love to perform and share classical music with others. I got started with the violin when I was about 7 years old. My sister played the violin and I just wanted to copy what she was doing. I grew up playing in a youth orchestra and going to summer music camps. I made a lot of friends and memories. That’s honestly the driving forces of what I give to my students and clients. I want my students to make lots of memories and have fun at what they’re learning and working on. I also think about what my clients want at their event, whether it’s music for weddings, corporate events, engagements, etc. I want them to have an enjoyable time filled with unforgettable memories with friends and family.

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

My mission is to share the joys of music, help others create and even bring back memories, but it also ties back to the most meaningful project I mentioned earlier. I want to make classical music accessible to everyone and to teach fun facts and history. For example, Igor Stravinsky, a famous Russian composer loooved royal jelly honey. Sergei Rachmaninoff, another Russian composer, wanted to befriend Stravinsky. So what does Rachmaninoff do? He shows up at Stravinsky’s doorstep in the late hours of the night to bring him a jar of honey. Who doesn’t like to be presented with food?! Although questionable, if a 6 foot tall man showed up at my doorstep past midnight with a jar of honey. But, you get the idea

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a musician is interacting with the audience. Being able to see live and firsthand how music transforms and gives to others. I still remember this performance I had at a Hospice Care. I was asked to perform “You are My Sunshine” for this particular client who sang it to all her children growing up. She was unresponsive when I first began with some popular tunes, but as soon as I started performing “You are My Sunshine,” she immediately started asking questions, talking to her family, and even started singing along with the music. It’s these interactions and being able to share with others that I find so rewarding in being a musician.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.violinmari.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hashimarimusic/

Image Credits
Helen Bratcher Photography