Hello, I’m Takako Kumada, founder and teacher at Takako Violin School in Tokyo. My musical journey began with piano and ballet at age 3, and violin at 6. Since then, music has remained a joyful and meaningful part of my life. But it wasn’t until I studied under two of the greatest violin pedagogues in the world— Almita and Roland Vamos—that my passion for teaching truly transformed. I have over 20 years of experience teaching violin and viola to students of all ages and levels, and I offer lessons in English, Japanese, and basic Chinese. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, I aim to guide you with warmth, clarity, and a deep love of music.
My background
- Graduated from Musashino Academia Musicae (1996)
- Awarded a scholarship to study at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Ohio, USA (1999–2001)
- Winner of the Eckstine Scholarship
- Earned a Master of Music degree from Northwestern
- University (2002)
- Studied with Almita and Roland Vamos, two of the most celebrated violin and viola teachers in the world as well as members of the Pacifica Quartet
- Winner of the Ogikubo Music Festival Grand Prize (2003)
- Performed with the New Philharmonic Orchestra (now Chiba Symphony Orchestra)
“I’m incredibly grateful for Kumada-sensei, my phenomenal violin teacher for the past year. Her passion for both music and teaching is evident through the personalized attention to detail in lessons and the overwhelming effort she puts into arranging performance opportunities. This passion has been contagious, and her expertise has instilled a deeper love for the violin than I could have imagined, along with more progress than I could have wished for. I highly recommend Kumada- sensei to anyone seeking a transformative violin education experience.” – R.S.
The years I spent studying under Almita and Roland Vamos were life-changing. Their students have gone on to win major international competitions and become principal players in renowned orchestras. But beyond their credentials, it was their unparalleled passion, clear, structured approach to technique, and the nurturing, high- level studio environment they created that shaped me the most. They are, without question, among the best violin teachers in the world, and learning from them was one of the greatest honors of my life.
What I offer
- Violin & Viola Lessons customized for each student’s level and goals
- Focused technical instruction using clear and proven methods
- Instruction available in English, Japanese, and basic Chinese
- Integrated music theory, solfège, rhythm, and sight-reading activities
- Homework videos tailored to each student to support home practice
- Preparation for Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)
- exams, auditions, and competitions
- (Many of my students have passed auditions and won
- prizes successfully)
- Ensemble sessions with strings and piano—held monthly (60–120 minutes on weekends)
- Seasonal concerts every six months to showcase your progress
- A welcoming and international community of learners who support one another
“I decided to take violin lessons for the first time at 58 years old. Having never touched a violin before, I was skeptical about my ability to learn at this late age. However, Kumada-san showed great patience and started me from the very basics. In less than 10 months, I was playing my first Mozart ensemble recital! Kumada-san’s training in America enables her to understand how to work with adult foreigners and effectively communicate technique. I highly recommend Kumada-san as a violin teacher, whether you are a beginner adult, a child, or an experienced player looking to improve your technique.” – T.T.
Whether you’re learning how to hold a bow, master advanced techniques, or join an ensemble as an adult beginner, I’m here to help you grow—with confidence and joy. Let’s make music a part of your life in Tokyo. Ready to begin? Then book your free trial lesson today!
Contact Takako for a free trial lesson here.