Urara Sakurai of El Sistema Japan Otsuchi

Bringing happiness to children

In 2014, El Sistema Japan, a movement aimed at providing a classroom-like environment for after-school programs, signed an agreement with Otsuchi for a program to inspire children through music.

Ms. Sakurai is one of the members behind this project. She moved to Otsuchi to become a violin
instructor so she could teach children about the joys of music. "When I first came to Otsuchi, I felt like the town still hadn't really recovered from the damage the disaster caused 5 years ago. But I realized that Otsuchi's stars are so beautiful, the food is so delicious, and the people are so warm-hearted," she said on life in Otsuchi. "The children have so much fun practicing violin, so they improve really quickly," she said, smiling.

The power of music

Music is a language that is understood by everyone both old and young, regardless of nationality or language. "I also grew up with music. I really hope the children in Otsuchi can grow up with music in their lives. It can teach them how to express themselves in so many different ways," Ms. Sakurai said on the power of music, and her big hopes for the children's futures.

She has plans to set up recitals for the children, and hopes to provide support and encouragement for children in unfortunate circumstances.

Profile

Urara Sakurai
Stringed Instrument Instructor
El Sistema Japan Otsuchi

She was born in Aichi Prefecture and started playing violin at the age of 6. At the same time, she was a soccer athlete through elementary, middle, and high school.

She already had a job lined up when she graduated from college, but she wanted a job where she could teach children about the joy of music, so she decided to become an instructor of stringed instruments for Friends of El Sistema - Otsuchi Project. She moved to Otsuchi in May 2016, where she teaches children stringed instruments and English conversation.