Ken Kubota shares valuable advice for young musicians.
What do you love about music?
I view music as an empathetic art form that captures human experiences. This relatability creates community, and it makes me feel less lonely in the world as I go through life.
What’s your most memorable music experience?
Some of my memorable early music experiences include playing in a master class for my hero Yo-Yo Ma, discovering the second movement of the Ravel Quartet that made me realize how cool classical music can be, and witnessing Prokofiev Sinfonia Concertante performed by a student at Meadowmount as I realized how much more there was to this world.
What advice do you have for young musicians?
As artists, we have to learn to focus on the journey, not the outcome. If you start to love the process instead of the results, you’ll find yourself more successful.
One of the greatest advantages that young people have is time - the consistent work you put in now will undeniably compound over time and shower you with the gained interests down the road.
Lastly, it’s important to not overestimate your health - whether mental or physical. We can have all the dreams and goals, but if we don’t have the energy or the health to power ourselves, then we’re not going to get anywhere. Eat well, sleep well, exercise well - these sound basic and unglamorous, but it’ll create a reliable foundation for you to build your legacy.
Website: www.kenjameskubota.com
Instagram: @kenjameskubota