Here are what my current and former students say about me:
“Sachiko is an excellent piano teacher. My daughter, L, has been in very capable hands ever since she started learning with Sachiko two years ago.
I used to succumb to sweaty-palms anxiety before and during each recital: Was she ready? Would she forget her notes? Would she press the wrong keys? With Sachiko, that feeling of panic on my part simply vanished and L’s performance has been solid and confident at each of the recitals she’s performed.
This is because Sachiko is big on “details”. As far as she is concerned, playing the piano transcends the act itself. It requires absolute commitment, self-awareness, immersion into the music itself, and ultimately, a complete harmony between the player and the piano.
When Sachiko brings her philosophy into her teaching, it ceases to be philosophical, and tangible results are quickly manifested. L started to learn how to sing the notes out loud, how to close her eyes and feel the music, and how not to rush her fingers.
Sachiko may come across as a “strict” teacher, but there is much more to her pedagogical approach than this one-dimensional epithet can ever describe. She subscribes to the axiomatic equation that you reap what you sow; she believes in the imperative of structured training for successful pianists. At a personal level, Sachiko is very personable and empathetic, and L has benefited immensely from her constructive advice and affectionate chitchat imbued with the warmth of her character.
We are very grateful to Sachiko for her patience and commitment to L’s piano career. Under the tutelage of Sachiko, who has been providing L with something akin to pastoral care, L is no longer content with ‘sounding about right’. She has to get it ‘just right’ and, very importantly, she knows how to get there. And that goes a long way toward making the time she spends on the piano much more productive.”
— N.D. mother of a 12-year-old student (New York City)
“Our 6.5 years old child has been taking Zoom piano lessons from Ms. Sachiko Kato for almost a year now. We are extremely pleased that we were able to find her as our child’s first piano teacher, after interviewing and having tried many others in our city. Even though the lessons are via zoom, Ms. Sachiko Kato engages our child so well (at 8 am our time!). She is able to guide our child in developing solid fundamentals, techniques and attitude while making the lesson very enjoyable and personable. Our child has been enjoying learning from her tremendously. We highly recommend Ms. Sachiko Kato.”
— C.C. mother of a 6-year-old student (Hong Kong, remote lessons)
“My daughter breaking through to the “other side” of piano playing would not have been possible without your push and patience. We’re happy that she has persevered to enjoy playing the piano and to learn a lesson about how many worthwhile things in life require effort and working thru one’s frustration. Thank-you.”
— D.L. father of a 11-year-old student (New York City)
“Sachiko is very solid and strict yet personable. And I believe that they are indispensable qualities for a piano teacher. You will learn the basics of music and the piano playing with her and this will stay with you for the rest of your life. Thus, music experiences not limiting to the piano music will enrich your life. I wish I had a teacher like her when I started the piano 60 years ago. My granddaughter is very lucky that she could begin her piano life with a teacher like Sachiko.”
— T.L. grandparent of a 6-year-old student and herself a former student (Seattle, WA, remote lessons)
”Thanks so much for being such a wonderful piano teacher to my son! You have a great combination of personal warmth and high expectations!”
—C.B. mother of a 6-year-old student (New York)
“I’m an adult student and a late starter, and I’ve benefitted from my study with Sachiko. I’ve learned to be more attentive to the basics that apply to every pianist’s study, no matter their age or level. Feeling the beat, slow practice, careful reading of the score, the importance of proper hand motions, and clean articulation. She taught me to accept that there are no shortcuts. After years of false starts and repeatedly abandoning my study, the path forward is finally coming into focus for me after studying with her. I’m happy to recommend Sachiko to any student of any age who wants a lasting foundation to build their practice on.”
— G.G. (New York City)