We were lucky to catch up with Mikiko Sato recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mikiko , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
That was when I was in a middle school.
I began playing the piano at the age of three and soon started taking classical piano lessons. I also began playing the electric organ at the age of eight and learned film music, pop, classical, and orchestral pieces. I have been enjoying music every day since I was a kid. Even though I was practicing classical piano pieces such as Bach, Mozart, and more I also enjoyed arranging those pieces myself as well as composing my own material. Through that I realized that I wanted to be a composer when I was just in elementary school. When I considered my future journey in middle school, I decided to attend a music college to become a professional composer. As a high school student I started taking lessons to prepare for enrollment at a music college in Japan.
When I realized that I wanted to be a composer, I clearly understood that my purpose was to connect with people through music.
I entered the Tokyo College of Music, majoring in classical composition under Professor Shinichiro Ikebe, and also pursued jazz piano under Professor Rick Overton. I earned my Master’s Degree in classical music composition. Since then I have worked in various roles, serving as a music director in theater and as an educator in composition, piano, and vocal performance. My passion and eagerness led me to pursue further learning at Berklee College of Music in 2017. I studied in Boston under Professor Lisa Thorson and graduated summa cum laude in December 2020 with a Professional Diploma in songwriting. I have expanded my experiences and connected with even more people.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a composer, music director, pianist, and singer-songwriter from Japan. My recent focus has been on songwriting, where I draw upon my unique musical background and incorporate a subtle Japanese sensibility for seasons, nature, and scenery. I have performed my originals in various countries, including Japan and the US, and as an educator in Boston I also teach music sometimes with a focus on Japanese seasonal songs.
In August 2021, I released my first original single, “My Wishes for You”, and followed up with my original album, “Mikiko’s World,” in the fall of the same year. Throughout the pandemic, I wrote and produced songs, and now that the world has recovered, I have had opportunities to perform them in person. “My Wishes for You” is a song dedicated to wishing people happiness.
Regarding my original work, “Mikiko’s World”, I had the opportunity to showcase and record it with my dear friends at Berklee College of Music. This experience was a successful realization of my life’s purpose, where I connected with lovely people through my music to produce the album and deliver it to the audience.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to connect with fellow artists and the audience. These interactions serve as inspiration for my own artistic journey.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
As I mentioned earlier, my purpose is to connect with people through music. Through my creativity I aspire to reach even more people and convey music which can serve as encouragement and healing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mikikosounds.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikikosounds_official/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikikosounds
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mikikosounds4402#
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Mikikosounds
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