How long have you played with Leyland Band and what position do you currently hold?
Four years with Leyland having arrived in the UK from Japan via Sydney. Played third cornet for my first eighteen months with the band, and then progressed to second cornet which I really enjoy.

What’s the best thing about playing in a brass band?
I love playing in a brass band because all the players are trying to make the best brass music together, and the challenge of playing so many different styles of music with just brass and percussion.

What’s your highlight so far with Leyland Band?
Playing in the Royal Albert Hall, particularly in 2019, performing Titans Progress. Such a special place to play in.

How did you get involved with playing a brass instrument?
My first musical experience was playing drums and glockenspiel in the elementary school marching band. When I got to junior high in Kyoto I began playing trumpet for the first time.

What was your earliest musical experience?
At the age of four I began piano lessons but was too young to practice at home and I gave it up by the age of six. My teacher wasn’t very happy that I didn’t practice.

Who has been your biggest influence?
My high school music teacher was a very good trumpet player and he really inspired me and my friends to enjoy playing. I’m still in contact with him and he has grown to like brass band music very much as I have.

Do you enjoy practising or find it a chore?
I do enjoy practicing, trying to improve means I can do my best in performances.

Were your parents musical?
My mum played organ and the violin, so music has always been a part of my life.

What piece of music do you most enjoy playing?
My favourite piece to play is our band signature march, Royal Tiger. I know the late Richard Evans was known as the march king in brass bands, and I was lucky to meet him a few times. It’s a special march for me.

What’s the best and worst things about performing?
The best thing about performing is the feeling of togetherness in the band and is even more exciting when I feel the audience is really enjoying the performance too. There are no ‘worst’ things about performing for me.

What can audiences expect from a performance by Leyland Band?
Our audiences expect not just quality playing, but an enjoyable and varied mix of music which entertains them. That’s what we will bring to our performance in Morley. I’m really looking forward to playing there again.