Mark Miyagawa, Engineer and Cellist, Inspires Children
On Friday, January 22, 2010, Mark Miyagawa, a Toyota Engineer Specialist and Cellist, walked across the street from the Toyota Technical Center and played his cello for the advanced orchestra students at 186th Street School. The elementary students sat on the edge of their seats listening to excerpts from the Bach Suite #3 and examples of moving cello pieces that were slow and lively. After he finished playing for the children, they were able to ask him questions about his musical journey as an amazing cellist. The students immediately recognized they were not listening to an amateur. This young man was well polished and extremely professional. Mark shared that he started playing the cello when he was in the fourth grade. He informed the students that he was from New Jersey and he attended Juilliard University in New York. He told the children that he had to audition to get into Juilliard, one of the most prestigious universities for musicians in the nation. He let them know that even though he is an engineer, he still takes his craft very serious. He works until 5:00 p.m. each day at Toyota, and then he goes home and practices for three to four additional hours. The students were impressed with his commitment of excellence and then they realized that his special ability to play the cello so well was not by accident. He is a masterful cellist because of dedication and sacrifice. Mark’s performance inspired the elementary students to go for their goals and dreams. Mrs. Reed, the principal, and Mrs. Lawrence, the orchestra teacher, believe the children will take practicing their instruments more seriously now that they have seen and heard a talented cellist model excellence, play beautifully, and enjoy entertaining.
We salute Mr. Miyagawa and our Toyota friends for always finding ways to help our wise owls dream big.
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