JAZZ READING SESSION
Clinician(s): Dave Gregoric & Kyoko Yamamoto
The Jazz New Music Reading Session promises to be a dynamic and enriching experience. This session will feature a curated selection of fresh jazz compositions, spanning various styles from swing to bebop and fusion. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with new repertoire ideas, valuable connections, and inspiration to bring innovative jazz music into their teaching practices.
Kyoko Yamamoto, originally from Nagano, Japan, is a distinguished music educator in Burlingame, California, directing the Chamber Orchestra, Vocal Jazz, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Marching Band at Burlingame High School. She deeply integrates community involvement into her music teaching by actively engaging with students, parents, and local organizations throughout Burlingame. Starting as a dedicated volunteer and piano accompanist, she earned recognition such as the PTA Honorary Service Award and the Golden Paw Award for her impactful contributions to the school community. Kyoko fosters long-term relationships with students, many of whom she has taught continuously from elementary through high school, emphasizing the development of the whole student musician. She also connects her students to broader musical communities by leading them in prestigious regional and state festivals, honor ensembles, and community performances. Fluent in Japanese and skilled in piano and bassoon, she performs with the Peninsula Symphony. She holds degrees from Shobi University and San Francisco State, including a Master’s in Music Education. Additionally, her leadership roles at Burlingame High School and on both local and state-level professional music boards reflect her commitment to creating a collaborative, community-centered learning environment that enriches both her students and the wider Burlingame community.
Session Handouts