Kazutaka Nomura
I was hitting some cymbals on Broadway the other day.
What kind of art do you make? What inspires you?
I play cymbals. What inspires me is sound of cymbals I make on the street. I am such a self-motivated person.
When in your life did you first become involved in your artistic discipline? What influenced you to become involved in the arts?
My father is an architect and cymbal player. He introduced me so-called cymbal kit. There are no snares or toms but cymbals in the kit. Since my first encounter with the kit at the age of 13, I have hit cymbals. I don't know what influenced me to do that. They had been waiting to be hit.
What are your current projects?
I have a couple of projects going on. First one is, needless to say, solo cymbal performance on the street. I was hitting some cymbals on Broadway the other day and was asked to stop doing that by a homeless person. Ucreative people here always make me sad.
I also play the guitar and play in this group called "na". I have toured on the eastcoast for 3 times this year and there is one more coming up in Dec-Jan 2005-6.
Where are you from? How is Seattle different?
I am from Hokkaido, Japan.
Seattle is very different because people here speak English!! Other than that, they are pretty similar.
Why did you choose to come to Cornish?
Someone at my former college told me that at Cornish, I can be in individualized major and study what I can't study at other conservatories, like cymbals. Although I am mostly studying the guitar, it has a lot in common with cymbals. They both make sounds!
What has been your experience here?
I have played in Jazz Ensemble and chamber ensemble since I transfered to Cornish.
What quirky hobbies do you have?
What does quirky mean?? Sounds close to quick. Yeah, speaking of which, I am playing a game called quick cymbal. I am a pioneer of the game. In which, you hit cymbals as fast as you can!!! It is fun.
What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
In 5 years…
I will finish my degree in performance here at Cornish, get married to Lucy, and work at Microsoft. By the way, Lucy is my favorite name. My girlfriend is not Lucy but I will find a right Lucy for me and get married to her. Otherwise, I call my girlfriend Lucy.
What would you tell a prospective student about Cornish?
Cornish music department is, literally, the best one in Capitol hill. I am pretty sure because there is no music school besides Cornish in Cap hill.
What is your creative process?
Eat, sleep, and practice saying "I love you, Lucy." in a mirror.