Contact: Troy Wollwage/Yamaha Corporation of America

(714) 522-9011 (twollwage@yamaha.com)

Vladimir Lapin/Giles Communications

(914) 798-7126 (vlapin@giles.com)

For Immediate Release

APPLICATION PROCESS NOW OPEN FOR THE SIXTH ANNUAL KEIKO ABE
INTERNATIONAL MARIMBA ACADEMY IN JAPAN

―Academy Offers Opportunity to Receive Instruction from World Renowned Yamaha

Marimba Artist Keiko Abe; Takes Place in Tokyo July 31-August 4, 2011―

BUENA PARK, Calif.—Yamaha Corporation of America, Band and Orchestral Division,

is pleased to announce that the application process is now open for the Sixth Annual
Keiko Abe International Marimba Academy in Japan, which will take place in Tokyo,
Japan, Sunday July 31-August 4, 2011. For more information and to download the
application, please visit: http://www.yamaha.co.jp/event/marimba/english/
Renowned for her virtuosic marimba artistry, Ms. Keiko Abe is a professor
emeritus at Toho Gakuen School of Music (Toho Gakuen College Music Department).
She has taught at numerous universities and institutions, and participated in more than 50
music festivals all over the world. She has been awarded a special prize six times at the
Cultural Festival by Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan. In 1993, she was inducted into
the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.
The Academy gives students the rare chance to receive direct instruction from
Ms. Abe while also offering them amazing performance opportunities. Ms. Abe’s lessons
are unique; rather than aiming for a uniform performance, she matches her teaching to the
performances of her students. These lessons are sure to fire the imagination of any
potential performers. Academy participants will all have the opportunity to perform at the

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APPLICATION PROCESS NOW OPEN FOR THE SIXTH ANNUAL KEIKO ABE 2
INTERNATIONAL MARIMBA ACADEMY IN JAPAN

Yamaha Ginza Studio. A select number of students will be invited to play at the
Academy’s Final Concert held in the Yamaha Hall.
Open to percussion students of all levels, the Academy is limited to 10
participants and 70 auditors. Students may apply as a duo. The application deadline is
May 31, 2011. Students chosen to participate will be notified by Friday, June 10, 2011.
For more information on the Academy, please visit:
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/event/marimba/english/.
For more information on Yamaha Band & Orchestral Division, write Yamaha
Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622, telephone (714) 522-
9011, e-mail infostation@yamaha.com or visit http://usa.yamaha.com.

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About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America is the largest subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation, Japan
and offers a full line of musical instruments and audio/visual products to the U.S. market.
Products include: acoustic and digital pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and
electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products,
synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio products, and innovative technology
products targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, professional music, and installation
markets.