The Yamaha Music Education System

The Yamaha Music Education System (YMES) is an International Music Course that offers comprehensive music education programs for beginners ages 3 to 10 and progresses to impressive advanced levels.  Yamaha’s philosophy is based upon the belief that music is for everyone, that all people have innate musical ability, that human life is made better by music, and music knows no national boundaries.  The purpose of the Yamaha program is to help each student develop into a well rounded musician.  The Yamaha Music Education System has schools in over 40 countries.  Yamaha maintains two research and development centers in the U.S. which carefully monitor Yamaha students’ progress so improvements can be consistently made to the existing curriculum.  When you enroll your child in a Yamaha class, you can be assured that you are involved in a program which has high standards and tremendous quality control. 

• Yamaha programs undergo continuous research and development.
• Yamaha teachers are required to be tested and then consistently trained.
• Performing opportunities for students are provided through concerts, music camps, and competitions on a local to national level.
• Assessments are given through Yamaha Grade Examinations for achievement for students and teachers.

Yamaha’s Background

"I believe that music should not be competitive, but should be a means of fostering friendships.  Music provides a context in which goodwill may be exchanged..."         Genichi Kawakami

Yamaha Music Education Courses began in the mid 1950's in Japan under the direction of Genichi Kawakami, the president of Yamaha Corporation.  A research team of excellent teachers, physicians, psychologists and musicians were brought together to develop a new and effective way of teaching music.  

Mr. Kawakami established the non-profit Yamaha Music Foundation (YMF) in 1966 to develop and promote music education internationally. YMF guides the evolution of YMES in over 40 countries with continuous research into child development and new teaching techniques.  It also sponsors events such as the prestigious International Junior Original Concert (IJOC).  Every year, advanced Yamaha students are invited to perform their original compositions in Junior Original Concerts held in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Their compositions include pop, jazz, classical and modern styles, and vary from piano solos to ensemble pieces.  Some of these students then get the opportunity to travel to Japan for the IJOC.

In the United States, the Music Education Division of Yamaha Corporation of America works in cooperation with the Foundation to design new music courses, improve instruction quality and refine existing programs.  They also sponsor Regional and National Junior Original Concerts (JOC) which feature Yamaha student composers from all of the schools in our country.  These students are given incredible opportunities when chosen for these events, often performing with and being coached by outstanding professional musicians to prepare for their performances. 

This approach has produced award-winning professional musicians (film and television composers, classical & jazz pianists and recording artists), successful musicteachers, and millions of music lovers worldwide.