Kumiko Sakamoto, born and raised in Medicine Hat, is now a professional musician as part of Thalea String Quartet. Sakamoto participated in The Rotary Music Festival throughout her childhood and teenage years. She is returning to the festival this spring as an adjudicator.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
lthomson@medicinehatnews.com
The Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival is going live this year and one of the adjudicators is returning home to participate in a new way.
Kumiko Sakamoto, born and raised in Medicine Hat, began training at a young age. She studied various arts at the Cultural Centre, including violin, voice, dance and musical theatre. She has a Bachelors in Violin with a Minor in Vocal Performance, and a Masters in Chamber Music with a Minor in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory. She is part of Thalea String Quartet, which had a residency in San Francisco for two years and then a two-year residency at the University of Texas. The group now resides at the University of Maryland.
“We teach there and we also study, all four of us are working on our doctorates, so we balance our academic life with life on the road and travelling all over and playing concerts and giving master classes and teaching as a group as well.”
Sakamoto says she loved growing up in Medicine Hat and gave a nod to the art community and the Cultural Centre.
“It’s wild how from such a small community, there’s such a massive and vibrant community of artists and musicians, and this special place connects us all. I have so much gratitude and love and good memories, just so much thanks when I look back at my time growing up in Medicine Hat. I really don’t think that there’s another place that I could have done all the things I did growing up,” said Sakamoto. “I think my ultimate goal after all of this touring and travelling is to really make a mark in a community on young students, like the one that I got to grow up in.”
Sakamoto’s mother Susan says she got involved in the Rotary Music Festival at a young age.
“Kumiko’s first festival was at the age of five when she played Lightly Row on the violin,” said her mother. “Kumiko played chamber music at the Cultural Centre from an early age. She still has good friends who were in her chamber groups, several of whom are now professional musicians. She played in Junior Orchestra from the age of seven.”
Susan is excited for her daughter to come home and adjudicate in the festival that has always been a big part of their lives.
“We are just so so proud of her accomplishments but also the lovely person that she is,” said Susan. “Festival has been a big part of our lives through the Rotary Club. My husband is a Rotary member and my dad was in the Rotary Club and was president of the festival at one time. When my mom volunteered at the festival, she would come home and tell us about this amazing little boy Billy Van der Sloot, who became Kumiko’s teacher, so it’s been part of our lives for a very long time.”
Sakamoto told the News she was honoured to have been asked to adjudicate for the festival.
“I’m so excited to come back and to be here. It’s like coming full circle, but it’s funny because I feel like it was not that long ago that I was there as a student,” said Sakamoto. “One of the best things that the Rotary festival taught me is it’s about giving back to the community, so every time you step on stage you get to tell a story, no matter what performance you’re giving.”
Sakamoto expressed her gratitude for the festival and everyone who makes it happen.
“I am so grateful and excited for the opportunity to return to my hometown for the festival this spring,” said Sakamoto. “The Rotary Music Festival was such an influential part of my young musical training and I am thrilled to be coming back to adjudicate for a community that I value so greatly. I can’t wait to experience what the next generation is creating, and to celebrate the festival’s in-person return alongside them.”
The Rotary Music Festival kicks off March 6. Find out more at http://www.rotarymusicfestival.com
