Clinton violinist accepted to Juilliard

Clinton resident Mira Yamamoto has been admitted to the prestigious Juilliard School. Yamamoto was one of 10-12 undergraduate violinists accepted to the school for the 2015-16 school year. Langley resident Gloria Ferry-Brennan, with whom she began studying Suzuki Method violin lessons at age three, was also accepted but chose to attend Curtis Institute in Philadelphia instead.

May 29, 2015 7:09 pm
Mira Yamamoto of Clinton performs at Benaroya Recital Hall in Seattle in 2014.
Mira Yamamoto of Clinton performs at Benaroya Recital Hall in Seattle in 2014.

Clinton resident Mira Yamamoto has been admitted to the prestigious Juilliard School.

Yamamoto was one of 10-12 undergraduate violinists accepted to the school for the 2015-16 school year.

Langley resident Gloria Ferry-Brennan, with whom she began studying Suzuki Method violin lessons at age three, was also accepted but chose to attend Curtis Institute in Philadelphia instead.

Juilliard offers degrees in dance and drama, but its music division is by far the largest and most diverse, with approximately 600 students from more than 40 countries.

“I was super touched by all of the texts, emails and messages I got from my friends, family and teacher,” said Yamamoto, in a recent press release. “I received so many messages of affirmation and support on the days leading up to my audition, and every one of them helped.”

Yamamoto’s first music teacher was Linda Good, who founded the South End music school Island Strings. Good was one of several music teachers on South Whidbey who guided and encouraged the girls’ musical education, according to the release.

Yamamoto has a lengthy resume that ranges from her first solo performance with a professional orchestra at age 9 to having studied with the Professor of Violin at the University of Washington, Ronald Patterson, and attending the Heifetz International Music Institute, where Yamamoto was selected to perform on NPR’s series “Stars of Tomorrow” at age 16.

“These students have been diligent and dedicated in the pursuit of learning violin and music,” Good said, according to the release.

Good added that both of the girls have had the support of their families and community throughout their lives.

Yamamoto concurred, saying that her mother was a “superhero” cheering her on through the audition process in New York.

Yamamoto will leave for Manhattan in August.

“I want to solo with every top tier orchestra in the country, win some competitions, sign a recording contract (or a few) and after that I’d like to spread music to underserved communities; places that don’t get live music on a regular basis,” Yamamoto said.