Ms. Kaori began playing piano at the age of 5, inspired by her two older sisters and a home filled with music. She also started learning violin around the same age she began piano, eventually playing in an orchestra in Japan, which shaped her early musicianship and ensemble awareness. By age 10 she added flute, further expanding her musical foundation.

After moving to the US, Ms. Kaori continued her piano studies with Betty Woo at Holy Names University and Roger Woodward at San Francisco State University. During this time, she was introduced to Hispanic music, which sparked a deep interest and ultimately led her to win the 2016 Michael Segrove Avalos Award.

She later studied child development at City College of San Francisco and earned a school-age care certificate. This training allows her to tailor her teaching approach to each student’s individual personality, strengths, and learning needs.

With over 10 years of teaching experience, Ms. Kaori is a dedicated piano and violin teacher who especially enjoys working with young students. She focuses on building a fun, encouraging, and positive learning environment while nurturing strong musical habits and confidence.

Ms. Kaori is fluent in both Japanese and English.