From an article in To-oh Nippo, regional newspaper printed in Aomori Prefecture dated 18 August 1997

“I love music, but was not quite so about singing.” A girl who has loved wind instruments but thought she was not good enough for singing has won a Rotary Club scholarship to join The Juilliard School as the voice student from September. 400 candidates had sent tapes for the tape audition, of which total of 10 for both Bachelors and Masters courses have passed. She will take temporary leave from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, where she is now studying, to go to the US.
”I will try my best, because this will be the rare chances you can learn from the very best artists in the world.” She narrates with her soft, deep voice.
She has loved music since she was still a small child. She started learning piano at age of 5. In elementary school, she joined wind instruments club, and since then has tried percussion, euphonium, saxophone etc., except for singing. “Because when I tried to sing, my voice just would not come out.”
The change came when she entered Dept. of Education, Iwate University. “There was no way I could avoid singing, if I were to become a teacher.” So she joined the choir to study singing, and her well-built physique and open-mindedness were very much favored. She learned the joy of singing and stood up as a promising mezzo-soprano.
Her ambition turned to the world in 1995 when she participated in Saito Memorial Festival in Matsumoto City as the member of choir. Strict and precise instructions were given from the English director, from English pronunciation to behavior in dramas. It showed her how opera theaters in Europe and the US were trying to raise opera singers, and the difference from the education system in Japan.
”I may have been well trained for this song, but that was not enough to sing other songs. I wanted to go and study overseas, and to be qualified to sing in theaters in Europe or in the US.”

She chose Juilliard as the first step to realize her dream, where contacts with the METs, or NY Philharmonic Orchestra as well as , competition with students from all parts of the world who seek to be the very best in the world were available.
Though she had no acquaintance in the faculty, she passed the tape audition, and underwent main audition in March held in the Juilliard Theater. In the hall, the judge of 8 were scattered among some 800 seats. She went through 2 compulsory numbers and tried to leave when one of the judges stopped her and asked to sing two more songs. Though startled, she sang with encouragement from the pianist. When she returned to the wing of the stage, other contestants came around her to say Bravo!
Her unique voice and expression are already collecting attention. “But I have to study English first. If I cannot pass the examination after one year English intensive course, my registration will be canceled. (And) Once I graduate, I will be carrying the name Juilliard around(so I have to give my best efforts)” .
While realizing the significance of being chosen and the severity of becoming the very best, she is looking forward to give a try.