Tag Archives: Osaka International University
Canadian and Japanese Music Presented In Meaford Concert
by Bill Monahan
On August 26th, Christ Church Anglican in Meaford is continuing its series of jazz and classical concerts with a special performance by Keiko Yoden-Kuepfer of Canadian and Japanese music on piano and organ. The program will be divided into two thirty minute sets. The first features the church’s pipe organ with music by Canadian composers, while the second set utilizes the new baby grand piano in performances of a variety of music by Japanese composers.
Since immigrating to Collingwood in 2006 Keiko Yoden-Kuepfer has become a very active member of the local musical community while at the same time acting as an important cultural link between Collingwood and its sister city of Katano, in Japan, where she was born.
Growing up in Katano, she began to study piano at age seven. In high school she was trained as a concert organist and, after gaining a degree in music educations from Osaka International University, she taught at the University for eight years, and also worked as a pianist/interpreter for master classes in Austria, Germany and Japan.
In 1999, through the Group Study Exchange of Rotary International, she was able to visit Collingwood. The experience inspired her to emigrate to Canada and settle permanently in Collingwood, where she continued to study and teach. Along with diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Royal Canadian College of Organists, the received the Immigrant Artist of 2015 award at the Simcoe County Newcomer Recognition Awards.
Keiko is an ambassadress of Katano International Friendship Association, helping to deepen friendship between Katano and Collingwood. She continues to serve as music director and organist of All Saints’ Anglican Church in Collingwood where she leads the chamber choir, instrumental ensemble and youth activities. She has also performed piano concertos with the Huronia Symphony Orchestra and the Kitchener Chamber Orchestra. She provides private lessons to students in Collingwood in piano, organ, double bass and voice.
