Meet Takashi Michael Kato – trombone, euphonium and tuba teacher at Maxx Music
We are very excited to introduce you to Takashi Michael Kato (known as Michael) who brings years of experience playing and teaching trombone, euphonium and tuba to Maxx Music. Michael started playing trombone in primary school and continued to perform within multiple bands throughout high school. Throughout his time at uni and beyond, he has continued his playing career through multiple community run bands which he still plays with to this day. He loves playing different types of music and the feeling of performing at new venues and new music in front of a crowd.
Why did you decide to teach music?
Teaching music felt like a natural consequence of the experience that I’d built up. I really feel that teaching the next generation, who also have a passion for music, is the best way to encourage them to think about how they can contribute to the growing musical world.
Can you describe a moment when you felt like you had truly ‘made it’ as a musician?
Probably two performances that I had at the ICC and the State Theatre during 2023. Playing at such large venues for such a unique crowd was an experience that I never thought I would have when I initially started playing.
How do you handle critiques and negative feedback?
No-one giving you critique or feedback (at least, rarely) hates you. They honestly want to give you their opinion of how you played and you should treat it as an opportunity to grow from the mistakes you have made. Knowing what others think and taking it in your stride and growing from it is my mentality when it comes to any critique / feedback.
What book or film has profoundly affected your perspective on music?
I think anything performed by John Williams and Hanz Zimmer really stands out. Film and, increasingly, even game soundtracks have a magic to them that really captures the experience that composers are trying to weave into them along with whatever you’re visually seeing. While it’s hard to nail down one particular experience, the more films and games I experience comes hand in hand with constant new music and that in itself has opened up many different experiences in music for me that I know I can explore.
Michael currently teaches at our Castle Hill Music School on Saturdays. Contact us on 0298940000 or complete our enrolment form to book a trial lesson.
