"I am living with many great teachers,
friends and parents.
I am really grateful for them, so I would like to introduce my specials
to you." by NAOKO
| Didi Stewart | Assistant Professor at Berklee - Didi is a two-time winner of the Boston Music Award for Best Female Vocalist, Didi is pioneering a style she calls "torch 'n' roll": jazz, blues and swing fused with the kinetic excitement of rock and R & B. Didi's first original band, "Didi Stewart and the Amplifiers", recorded an album, Begin Here , for Kirshner/CBS Records. Her next group was "Girls' Night Out", a seven-woman rock revue that was proclaimed "the best band in Boston" by the Boston Phoenix and won Musician Magazine's nationwide "Best Unsigned Band" award. More recently, Stewart has gained recognition for her ongoing series of singer and songwriter tributes, spotlighting such diverse artists as Harold Arlen, Bacharach/David, Carole King, Aretha Franklin, Rodgers and Hart, and Randy Newman. An award-winning songwriter, her film and TV credits include Melrose Place, Touched by an Angel, One Life to Live, All My Children, Any Day Now, Passions, Dark Skies, Shasta McNasty, The Florentine, and John Sayles' City of Light. (By Didi's web site : Didi Stewart) Didi has given great private lessons of English Diction, Breathing, and Stage Performance to me since I was in first semester. My voice is surely developed with her help. I am also influenced by her as a singer. I truly love her voice. It is strong and so emotional. I want to be a singer like Didi. Also she always encourages and gives much affections for me. She is my great teacher and confidante. I am lucky and very happy to meet her. If I didn't meet her, I might be still lost myself. |
| Mark Baxter | Vocal Therapist - Mark's client list includes Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Gary Cherone (Van Halen), Jonny Lang, Tonic, cast members of RENT, members of Vertical Horizon, Steven Augeri (Journey), American High-Fi, Jennifer Trynin (Rolling Stone Hot Debut Artist), The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Amiee Mann, Peter Wolf, Quicksand, The Amazing Crowns, Angry Salad, Regina (#1 single on Billboard's pop chart), Geezer, Coal Chamber, Combustible Edison, Loudness and on and on. Discover what thousands of singers ... from garage hopefuls to Grammy winners, have learned from Mark's in depth knowledge and unique approach to vocal improvement. (By Mark's web site: voicelesson.com) Mark has given great private lessons of vocal exercise to me since June, 2000 (before I entered to Berklee). I could get over problems with my register by his lessons. He also always encourages and helps me. I have realized many times by Mark's words what is important, what is need for me. He is my precious mentor. He is also a great musician! I love his drum and songs. I would love to play with him someday! |
| Beverly Crosby | Vocalist, Producer, Voice Teacher - Beverly has performanced with Phoenixx, Stuff, Toru Oki Band, Jimmy "Handyman" Jones, The Crystals, and more recently with Ben E. King, Maxine Brown. The off-Broadway production Beverly had appeared in are Tambourines to Glory, Sweet Stuff, Second Chance, Broadway Runs Through Harlem, Too, Do Unto Others, Golden Express, and Wings over Harlem.(By the pamphlet of "Wild Women Don't Have The Blues") Beverly has brought out true blues and many emotions from my singing. She has told me eagerly that I should sing with my OWN words and soul, so I got it. She has much love like a mother, and her voice has much soul. I always feel it when I listen to her singing, and it makes me feel happy. |
| Gloria Bennett | Voice Teacher - Gloria's many successful voice students have included Axl Rose (Guns 'n' Roses), Vince Neil (Motley Crue), Anthony Keidis (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Exene Cervenka (X), Dexter Holland(The offspring), Steve Wynn(Dream Syndicate), and more.(By Gloria's book"Breaking Through") When I went to USA first in March 2000, I have taken Gloria's lessons for 5 times, and then, she recognized my voice and suggested to me I should have entered to Berklee to develop my voice and to find gigs. She was a great guide who showed me the way I would walk. Therefore, I am here now! |
| Jude Crossen | Instructor at Berklee - Vocalist, guitarist, pianist, actor and songwriter - Lead singer for Precision, The Flounders (official band for the Kiss 108 Morning Show) and Jude Crossen and the Room 11 Poets - Soloist and member of Hip Pocket Orchestra - Recordings include Easier Done Than Said and Somebody Wants You - Jude teaches voice/performance specializing in pop, rock, soul, and musical theatre (By Berklee's web site Faculty Biography) Jude's web sites: Jude Crossen and judecrossen.com Jude was my private teacher at Berklee in spring 2001. He has always given much consideration for me. Now, I am taking his keyboard private lessons. I loooove his songs and performances! He is a great musician! |
| Kudisan Kai | Associate Professor at Berklee - Performances with: Sting, Elton John, Beck, Chaka Khan, Jeffrey Osborne, Natalie Cole, Melissa Manshester, Anita Bader - Recordings: Dinana Ross, Bette Midler, Elton John, Joe Cocker, Youngstown, Powerman 5000, Neil Diamond, Roer Waters, The Black Crows, Adam Sandler, Salit Keita, Ofra Haza, Saliva, and Aretha Franklin - Movies: Pluto Nash, Just Visiting, Dinosaurs, El Dorado, Play it to the Bone, Television theme to The Kate Brasher Show - TV/Radio Commercials: Coca Cola, Bell Atlantic, Corn Pops Cereal, Coors Beer, and others (By Berklee's web site Faculty Biography) I am taking her class "Advanced Vocal Performance Lab 2"at Berklee. She is teaching me how I sing with my emotions. It is very helpful for me. Also she sings all styles; jazz to heavy metal! Yeah!! That's so cool! |
| Adriana Baric | Assistant Professor at Berklee - Vocalist, pianist, songwriter in genres ranging from classical to jazz to pop/rock - Lead vocalist and keyboardist for own band - Performances in New England with Boss band - Releases include independent CD, For You, on Moxy Music - Private teacher of voice, piano, and theory - Former staff accompanist, Voice Department, Berklee College of Music (By Berklee's web site Faculty Biography) Adriana's web site: adrianabalic.com Adriana was my teacher in voice classes at Berklee, and then she was very kind to me even though I could not speak English well. |
| TOYA & Yoco | They are Japanese musicans who play in New York. They have lived there for 11 years. TOYA is a professional keyboardist, a writer, an arranger, and a producer. He produced music of the NY office opening ceremony of the Clinton ex-President in summer 2001, and plays with Nancy Wilson, Chuck Jackson and more many great famous musicians. YOCO is his wife, and a professional DJ and a singer. She is working with Johnny Allen who is a very famous DJ in USA. TOYA and Yoco are famous in Japan. Of course, in New York too, most professional musicians know and play with TOYA & Yoco. They are really taking care of me. They introduce many great musicians to me and tell a lot of things; what is music to giving love and peace to people, when I go to New York. They are true musicains and great persons. I have much respect for them. |
| Kaye Kelly | Assistant Professor at Berklee - Vocalist, Pianist - Performances with the Duke Ellington Band, Eoices with LibertyEat the E.P.C.O.T Center, The Walt Disney World Orchestra, Boca Raton Pops, and numerous studio jingles in the Pop, Rock, and Jazz genres - Recordings include, Eoming UndoneE released in the Fall of 2000, a full length CD featuring original Folk/Rock compositions - (By Berklee's web site Faculty Biography, Kaye's web site: kayekelly.com ) Kaye was my teacher in writing class. She was kind to me as well as Adriana. Her voice is pretty! I sometimes go to see her show. That's good! |
| Nura Creitz | Vocalist - Nura has been performing as a soloist in the Boston area for fundraising events, private parties and participates in open mics. Stylistically Nura has settled in the Blues and Jazz forum while maintaining her flexibility in other styles of music such as Opera, Rock, Pop and Gospel. (By Nura's web site:NURA CREITZ) Nura is my nice friend. Her voice is also beautiful. Must see her show! |
Other special thanks for: Matt,
Joseph, Lourie, Sydney, Joshua, Mary, Miri, AJ, Fabio, Jason, Sachiko,
Yuko, Sako, all my teachers and friends, my parents and sister, my lovely
pets : Melody, Pi-chans, Fami, Sola and Angel, and my ex-boyfriends!
Most pictures in this site were taken by Eiichiro
Tomigami, and designed by Keiko Ishida, and
provided by Creative Mash Room.