Makiko Hirata

The Power of Music and Gershwin

Music gives voice to the voiceless, efficacy to the marginalized and a sense of belonging to the isolated and divided. Music is contagious. It propagates ideas and disseminates information. Music is vital. It shows us what we live for, and fight for. And perhaps most importantly, music creates resonance out of our diversity, empowering us in our interconnectedness.  

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Cherishing the Repeats

This is the English translation of my Japanese article for Nikkan San, as a part of my bi-weekly column, “The Way of the Pianist.”  “Good morning!” “It’s getting cold, isn’t it?” “Bundle up! Stay warm!” “Take care.” “Have a good day!” As we approach the busy-ness of the holiday season, the smiles exchanged with passers-by slow

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To Cast A Light as a Pianist

Perhaps the role of arts is to shed light onto these small, dark rooms. The light may be dim. It may only last for a split second. It may shine from strange angles creating shadows that obscure the objects. But it can trigger our imagination, renew our perspectives, making us feel feelings we would not have known otherwise.

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Executive Order on Promoting the Arts, the Humanities, and Museum and Library Services

“…We will enhance to high-quality arts and humanities education and programming with the aim of enabling every child in America to obtain the broad creative skills and enrichment vital to succeed.  My Administration’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis will be bolstered through Federal and societal support for and advancement of the arts, the humanities, and museum and library services. …”

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