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Testimonial by Carlos Lot (violinist)
For the 25th Anniversary
June, 2005

There are many moments stored in my mind about how I was caught by music - and especially by the violin - since my childhood. One of them was at some symphonic concert, where I did not even need the presence of a soloist to be attracted by the magic power of seduction of the violin. I was overwhelmed with the live performace of the violins in an event which, to this day, I remember it as the first concert I had ever attended, and the imprint of such that years later I could recognize and appreciate Richard Strauss for his “Also Sprach Zarathustra” for having made such an impact on me. Moreover, it left me so intrigued about the playing of the violin that the two following years of my life I did not stop insisting on my wish to learn to play the instrument. That was how I arrived at the Academia Yuriko Kuronuma.

It was with this hope that I started studying the violin. It was a big challenge in the beginning, trying to blend the desire, the steadiness and the discipline in a totally new world, which was at the same time showing me the true road to fulfillment.

I discovered this thanks to the true support and earnest teachings that distinguishes the Academia, where Professor Kuronuma since the very beginning knew how to plant in each one of us the seed of trust and self-improvement. How was it possible that a world renowned violinist could give so much to these children of another country, and who were just starting their journey on the long road that lay ahead. This was a question which generated many others. How could one imagine that these children would share the same stage with their teacher, the experiences of life, the powers of communication of music, and the power of unity between cultures through music? Such is the great legacy I have received, and it all started with the first tour to Japan in 1985.

On the day the news of the summons to select the members of this first tour to Japan was received, I can say that my life took a new turn. At that time, with scarcely two years of studying the violin it was almost an unreachable dream. I remember that the progress in my violin studies changed drastically. My desire, respect and love for music were channeled during this process. After having been selected and with the life experiences I received from this and the following tours, music never again left me. These tours taught us that through music we are capable of living and receiving: absolute honesty, individual effort, teamwork, insights into people and their culture, bonds of friendship and many more rewards. I think that for me as well as for the others this was an absolutely new experience but at the same time, it represented an answer to the source of all the love, and true dedication we had received at the Academia. Truly Professor Kuronuma headed a selfless labor of fraternity, in which her people from the very start gave us their support, donating 100 violins of different sizes to allow the Mexican children to take off on their musical flight. A flight that kept on, continues and will continue in each one of us and in new generations, thanks to the faith of what a human being is capable of sharing and conveying, regardless of geographical and cultural distances. I wish to thank to all those Japanese people for their faith in our flight, and for having nourished it through their dedication, hospitality and deep friendship. I wish to thank Music as well, the universal language that has allowed us to participate, joined together in this celebration.

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Academia Yuriko Kuronuma A.C. Violin, viola & violoncello individual lessons.
Presidente Carranza #52-7, Coyoacán. México, D.F. Tel/Fax. (5255) 5554 7750