Our Experienced Team

We are pleased to introduce pianist and educator Dr. Akiko Yamazaki and composer and educator Julie Harris. These two long-time colleagues have assembled a stellar team of musicians and computer software gurus to bring our exciting online piano club to life!

Our piano club is named the Yamazaki Piano Club, to set it apart from hundreds of online piano clubs. We chose the name because it is unique and memorable. Thank you, Dr. Yamazaki, for lending us your name as well as your expertise. Thank you Julie Harris, for sharing your decades of experience with us. Thanks to all the other computer personnel, teachers, students, parents and music lovers that are helping to make this site possible.

Performance and Pedagogy

Akiko Yamazaki is excited to team up with Julie Harris to build a vibrant musical community. Akiko has performed extensively as soloist and chamber musician appearing in venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Her students have won many awards at local, regional, and international competitions. As a pedagogue, she is active as a presenter, adjudicator and master class clinician. She holds a DMA in Piano Performance from UNC-Greensboro, MM in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Northwestern University, and BM from UNC-Chapel Hill.

As a teacher, she’s inspired by Frances Clark’s idea to develop complete musicianship at every stage of study. Her beloved high school teacher, Mrs. Van Doeren, showed her the power of joy in music and unconditional love for students.

Yamazaki Piano Club’s unique contests are founded on the spirit of learning and sharing. Students learn to develop their own interpretation, which helps them play with creativity and imagination. They can gain confidence in building their performance and presentation skills in a supportive community. Our network of professional judges include foremost experts in the field who provide encouraging and helpful feedback. In addition, students expand their knowledge about repertoire, composers, and styles, all while having fun and inspiring each other. I hope you will join us!

Piano

Piano Contest – 2023-Piano-02 – Passion – OPEN

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Piano Contest – 2023-Piano-01 – Awakening – WINNERS

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Piano Contest – 2022-Piano-03 – Celebration – WINNERS

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Piano Contest – 2022-Piano-02 – Discovery – WINNERS

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Piano Contest – 2022-Piano-01 – Expression – WINNERS

Musicianship

Julie Harris is excited to collaborate with Dr. Yamazaki in this creative and unique piano club! Julie holds degrees in music theory and composition from Brevard College and Duke University, and has taught theory, composition, ear-training, analysis, informed listening and piano performance for many decades. She brings a wealth of experience and articles that will inspire and enrich you, related to all aspects of musicianship. Her goal is to make educated musical discoveries a vital part of life. Whether you are a teacher, a performer, a composer, or an eager audience member who wants to learn more, you’ve come to the right place!

One of Julie’s primary passions is the “lost art of listening”. Many of her articles help musicians learn how to listen to classical music in new, fresh ways. She also oversees the listening section of the piano club. Her article “Informed Listening – An Essential Skill” is presented here for your enjoyment and enrichment, along with a random selection of her extensive list of articles! Click on the Articles item in the main menu for a list of all Julie’s articles.