“…matched note per note at impeccable intervals; …would have pleased the maestro himself.”

­­— (AICHI ARTS FOUDATION, Japan) —

​

 

“Ms. Okada has a distinct unblemished sound; …she brings out the best in the piece and captivates the audience with her emotions.”

­­— (ARTE PHILHARMONY, Japan) —

​

 

“Yumi is a musician and violinist of the highest caliber. Her work is not only technically first-rate, but also always musically exciting and committed, making all of her performances a special event; musicians and people like Yumi are extremely difficult to find and rare indeed.”

­­— (COHLER & ASSOCIATES, INC., Boston) —

​

 

“Ms. Okada’s music gets more refined and sophisticated at each of her concerts. She’s is an amazing artist and has a personality to match that fascinates her audience and fans alike from different generations.”

­­— (YAMAHA SCHOOL OF MUSIC, Japan) —

​

 

“Ms. Okada serves with great distinction as concert master of the Washington Sinfonietta. Her leadership skills and talent were felt and appreciated from the moment she arrived to the DC area. The orchestra gravitated to her impartation and exceeded everyone’s expectation. Ever a perfectionist, her work ethic is second to none. Ms. Okada has been instrumental in getting the Orchestra in-sync and took charge from the very beginning to keep the group engaged throughout the rehearsals and ultimately the concerts. She’s also always eager to lend a helping hand whenever her fellow musicians face difficulties during performances. She’s very personable and well liked by the entire Group and the Orchestra is very pleased to have a fine talent among us. The Washington Sinfonietta is the thriving organization it is today because of Ms. Okada’s presence. Ms. Okada is an accomplished violinist of the highest caliber. Her virtuostic gift has been heard throughout this country and abroad. Her knowledge of the symphonic, chamber, and solo music repertoire is seemingly limitless. I owe my first year of success with the Washington Sinfonietta to Ms. Okada.”

­­— (WASHIGTON SINFONIETTA, Washington, DC) —

​

 

“The crowd was overjoyed and overwhelmed with her emotional performance and gave her a standing ovation.”

­­— (SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL, Japan) —

​

​

"It takes a good instructor to convey the technical skills of violin, but it takes a truly exceptional teacher to instill the importance of discipline and foster a deeper passion for music. Under Yumi's instruction I found success in a number of youth orchestras and I continue to nurture my relationship with music nearly 15 years after our first lesson. Yumi cultivates meaningful, lasting relationships with her students and family. Her ability to connect with people makes her an outstanding instructor."
- Ayaka Miyamoto, student  
 

​

Mrs. Yumi is patient, caring, and simply never gives up. She finds a way to connect to her students on every level and be a role model for them. She has high standards and extreme attention to detail. I feel very grateful that our daughter has the opportunity to be studying with her.
- Dimitar Petkov

 

​

Yumi is a bright and talented violinist who puts both effort and skill into her teaching styles. She teaches her students in an attentive manner, paying attention to detail. She is a work-oriented person and teacher who is driven by her determination and patience.  My experience with Yumi has been a positive experience as she has shown her passion in playing while teaching others her gift. 

- Ellen, student 

 

I have two sons who are learning from Ms. Yumi. My first son started to play violin with her when he was a third-grader. Now, he is in college and still one of her students. She is a remarkable teacher who helps kids to build their own goals and achieve them. I believe her skills help to establish good academic habits too. It's been a wonderful experience as parents.
- Happy parents

 

​

We are very fortunate and proud to have Yumi as my children’s Violin teacher. She has been more than a teacher, like a dear friend, a role model and a mentor who always encourage her student to challenge and reach a higher goal.  Her working ethics is above and beyond, she would find time even during her busy days to help out her students outside of class time. Her passion in teaching and connection with her students made her a priceless teacher. Because of her, my children still haven't given up their violin!

- Liza

 

 

"I've been a student of Teacher Yumi's for more than 6 years, and from the beginning I knew she was a great teacher. I appreciate her teaching style—she is very friendly while also having a firm idea of what she wants to teach you. She adapts to your capabilities yet pushes what skills you have to improve your technique. I have gained a lot of confidence in my violin playing through her instruction, and I am very thankful to have such a talented and respected teacher."

- Josephine Pan, student  

 

​

"Yumi has been my violin teacher for over half a decade, and I cannot say enough about how incredible she is. Whether in person or on zoom, she always manages to correct even the smallest mistakes and encourages me to never give up. She takes the time to build personal connections with all her students to help us both musically and personally."

- Stephanie Saloum, student

 

​

"Yumi displays skillful mastery of the highest caliber in all of her musical pursuits. Whether it's inside the classroom or beyond, she shows unparalleled dedication to her students and I’m so grateful to be able to call her my teacher."

- Sara Saloum, student

 

​

Yumi has taught our three children from the beginning, and two of them beyond ASTA Level 10. Her ability to adjust teaching style and goal setting is amazing. Patient and caring, she knows how to maximize student's musical skill and love of playing violin. Over 13+ years that we've known her, she has been more than a violin teacher. Our children learned how sustained efforts over time go very far, reaching a goal that once seemed too hard.

- Reiko and Hiro Miyamoto

 

​

My 5-year-old daughter said that she is learning violin because she loves Yumi. Yumi always has positive attitude and full of energy to teach. Moreover, she loves her students very much. I am sure that my daughter remembers Yumi as a best teacher and she will feel that how lucky she has Yumi as her teacher.

- Sasako Sugiyama

 

​

Yumi is such a dedicated teacher. Not only is it inspiring to hear her play even the simplest pieces that I may be learning because she gets the deepest sound out of her violin, but as a teacher, she meets you where you are at every day. Yumi makes learning something challenging so fulfilling. I wouldn't want to learn from anyone else!
- Hope Cooper, student

 

​

Yumi is a wonderful teacher! We are so lucky to have her for my daughter’s violin teacher! She is not only a very skillful and talented, she is also a very caring teacher. She understands her students and put her feet into their shoes! Yumi is straight and flexible! She always can find a way to encourage her students to learn and practice!! 

- Shirley

 

​

My daughter switched to Yumi from another teacher two years ago and we could not be happier with Yumi. My daughter gains so much from every lesson with her. She has improved so much technically and musically and very happy with her own progress. Yumi helps her student focus on details and accuracy while being supportive and encouraging. Yumi’s professionalism and commitment to teach young musicians are just amazing. We feel very fortunate to work with such a talented teacher!
- Yasuko Shiozaki

 

I like Ms. Yumi as my teacher because she is very precise, and helps me fix problems in intonation or rhythm. I appreciate how she pays attention to small details in a piece of music. I think I have made a lot of progress in playing the violin with Ms. Yumi, especially different bowing techniques to create more varieties of sound. Another thing I like about Ms. Yumi is that she prepares me very well for auditions and recitals. I really enjoy learning violin with Ms. Yumi.
- Elyse Shiozaki Ta, student
 

​

Yumi is always positive and encouraging. I am sure every student of her studio feels like we are in a great team to grow together. This environment is absolutely what every young musician should have.
- Anna&Yoko&Philipp

 

​

Yumi has been my violin teacher for the past seven years. I could not be more grateful for her help and support over my violin-playing career. Yumi has the upmost patience and understanding; I learn so much from her every week. From phrase development to interpretation, she has transformed my understanding of music. Yumi pushes me to be better, both in playing the violin, and as a person.

- Linda, student

​

​

I have been with Yumi for more than 8 years, and she is hands down the best violin teacher I’ve ever had! She has supported me in every aspect, and always done her best to make sure her students gain the best knowledge in music. Her patience, kindness, and resilience have not only aided me in progressing my violin techniques and skill, but she has also helped me develop as a person. Yumi continues to inspire me every day in whatever I do, whether it be within or outside the realm of music. 
- Veronica, student

​

​

Yumi has been teaching both of our children since they were little.  I cannot emphasize enough how passionate, dedicated, and talented she is both as a teacher and as a musician. Yumi is a consummate professional challenging her students to improve as musicians while also nurturing them with the appreciation and love for music."

- Emi

 

​

As an adult learner who started late, Yumi's patience and encouragement have helped me keep playing violin the last 10+ years. Her passion in music has inspired me to continue with the lessons and work to achieve higher levels in ASTA. I am grateful to have Yumi as my violin teacher!
- HJ, student

​

​

Yumi is the violin teacher for my two kids.  Both I and my kids enjoy her lessons very much.  If I have to use one work to characterize her, that would be devotion - devotion to music and her students.  And her devotion is reflected in all aspects of her violin lessons.

             Yumi cares very much the fundamentals of violin playing.  Very often, during lessons, she would walk around my kids, listen, and observe their posture at all angles. Sometimes, she even tapes their play, and watches and analyzes the videos with them.  As a result, my kids get a very direct sense on what and how to correct/improve. 

             Yumi would go above and beyond regular weekly lessons for my kids.  This past year, my son had 4 auditions by video submissions.  For each audition tape, Yumi would watch and give feedback multiple times. As a result, both my kids succeeded in all the auditions that we applied. 

             For me, I don’t believe that we can find another teacher who would devote more to her music and students.  We are very lucky to be part of her studio. 
- Helen