From Percussion Rooms of the World Vol.21｜Kana Funayama, New York, USA

Hello everyone. My name is Kana Funayama, a percussionist. By allowing me to be in charge of one page of this historical newsletter, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at JPC for their continued support, and to introduce little by little about my life and school in the United States where I currently live!

●America

As the name United States suggests, it is a country with many different races, cultures, and religions. Due to the diversity of races, food also varies. Restaurants include Asian, European, Mexican, and American cuisine, and many also offer vegetarian and vegan options.JapanThere is also a restaurant where you can eat sushi. Especially near the seaJapanThere are some places where you can eat fresh and delicious raw fish that rivals the quality of the fish.JapanA year has passed without me becoming food chic. When you go to the supermarket, you will find a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, meat, drinks, seasonings, and everything else, making it a country where you can feel diversity at hand.

The first thing I felt when I started living here was that it was natural that each person was different, and that we could accept and connect with that diversity without any problems or barriers. I felt that it was very beautiful. Of course, not everyone is like that, and there are various news stories, but even as a foreigner myself, I feel that it is a comfortable and warm environment that does not make me feel like a foreigner.

On the other hand, Rochester, where I live, is not a safe place and has a high incidence of shootings. Walking outside alone after the sun has set is an act that puts you at risk and limits your options. For someone like me who gets energy from freely breathing the outside air and immersing myself in nature, unfortunately I can't say it's a suitable place to live! Also, this is the northern part of the United States, which is closer to Toronto, Canada than any other major city in the United States, and winter lasts for a whopping six months. It's also an extremely cold winter, with a temperature of about 20 degrees below zero. For the first time, I experienced how sad it is to know that spring doesn't come even in April.JapanIt is said that the four seasons in Japan are wonderful, but I have experienced it myself.JapanI am once again experiencing the wonders of the world in many different situations.

●Eastman

The year I entered the school was the school's 100th anniversary. What a wonderful time to enroll! It was a joyous start, but school is also full of celebration, and there are many commemorative concerts, so it's been a whirlwind life with many rehearsals and concerts in addition to daily classes!

We have a variety of compositions and pieces to perform, including orchestras, percussion ensembles, contemporary chamber music, and collaborative concerts with other departments and dance. Even though I live such a busy life, I am able to get through it all happily because I have wonderful friends around me who support and support each other and work hard together. I am always very grateful to such friends and warm professors. School is very academic, with a lot of lectures and lots of homework in every class. The exam was a written presentation as well as a presentation, and for the first time I felt like I was a full-fledged university student. lol

●Studio class

Master classes are held once a week with invited guests. This is a stimulating class where you can directly learn from many artists who are active in the United States and abroad. Guests vary each time, including orchestras, marimba players, jazz players, and composers. The photo was taken when Leigh Howard Stevens was invited.

●Eastman Percussion Ensemble

The first concert was held in March 2022. Renowned composers have commissioned works for us. The pieces were written by Grammy Award winner Billy Childs and Pulitzer Prize winner Joseph Schwanter, composer of Velocities.The composers themselves were present at the rehearsal, and we had a valuable time listening directly to their compositional intentions and exchanging opinions. The audience seats were almost full, and there was a good sense of tension and energy, making it an emotional success.

●Musical instruments

Since Professor Michael Burritt is a Malletech artist, the school has many Malletech marimbas, but we also have YAMAHA, Marimba One, and Adams, which you can choose to use.

We also have a wide variety of other instruments, and if there is an instrument with detailed specifications for contemporary music, or an instrument that you would like us to make custom-made, we have a very reliable percussion technician at the school who will immediately make the arrangements and make it for you. Thank you.

●Finally

Being in this country and environment, where there are many creative, diverse, and active people in many fields, not only makes my days stimulating and exciting, but I also feel that I am growing in ways that I may not have realized yet. I just want to protect myself and survive. I love America so much! !

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Kana Funayama Profile

Born in Fukushima Prefecture. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts.
He has won many awards including 1st place in Trinity International Music Competition 2021.
After a period of freelance activities including marimba solo, recital, chamber music, orchestra, and recording, he moved to the United States. He has performed with the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra. Served as a guest lecturer at a percussion festival in the United States.
Currently enrolled in the master's program at Eastman College of Music. He was awarded the school's highest honor, the Performance Certificate. Scheduled to appear as part of the Eastman Percussion Ensemble at PASIC2022.
My hobby is road biking. Skiing in winter.