VTT Graduate Spotlight: Takahisa Sato

1. What is your greatest passion or joy as a singer, voice teacher, or vocal professional?

As a voice teacher, it’s to see my student’s development as a singer. As a producer, it’s to explore the greatest music around the world and incorporate it into my music

2. Please tell us the latest news about you, your studio, and your work.

My fellow singer Soshi Matsumoto (松本曹史) and I released a new single called “小さな羽で” and it’s available on Spotify, iTunes & everywhere! https://linkco.re/QHPNYUTq?lang=en

3. What is an interesting or funny fact about you?

I dance Salsa and Zouk! This type of dance style is very interesting to learn because it is a nonverbal communication, contrary to singing. Whether you use voice or not, communicating through music is a great experience that we need in our lives.

4. What led you to the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?

I happened to find Justin’s "Voice Lessons To The World" on YouTube and it was mind-blowing to me because his technique, knowledge, and encouragement are outstanding as you know. I thought, "I want to be able to teach singers like he does."

5. What was your experience in the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?

Since I live in Japan, I took most of the course via Skype. But I always felt like I was in a classroom because I could communicate with Justin and other participants smoothly. When I was in New York for ten days, I observed Justin’s lessons all day long. To see diverse students in New York and to see them grow with his lessons was the best experience for me.

6. What advice would you give to future participants of the Program?

Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Our Sensei Justin is a very busy person, so the teacher training is the best opportunity to ask questions and learn.

7. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?

Sometimes I wonder if music and singing can really help people, especially now that we suffer from the outbreak of covid-19. But I believe that music is a kind of magic which can heal us. That's why I keep on making music.

8. What was your greatest victory ever as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?

I don’t think that I have ever had a big victory. But every time my client becomes happy with my lesson (as a voice teacher) or my sound (as a producer) is a small victory for me.

9. What is one piece of advice that you would love all singers to know?

Be who you are. It’s great to seek for improvement and becoming better at controlling your voice. But at the end of the day, I think the most important thing is to be able to show who you truly are and communicate with listeners.

10. What is something you've learned on your journey that you would love other vocal professionals to know?

Showing off is not a goal for us. When I was young and didn’t have much confidence in my singing, I admired singers with great techniques. And I thought, "I wish I could sing like them." But after I got enough technique to sing those difficult songs, I realized that I’m not fascinated with that kind of thing anymore. Techniques are important to fully realize what you want do with your singing, but they are not for showing off.

11. How can we find out more about you and your work?

You can check out my website https://www.takahisasatomusic.com or follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/swtakahisa for the latest information!