[Member Interview] Kyohei Kato (cello)

We will be sending you regular interviews with members of the orchestra until the concert. The third member is Kyohei Kato (cello)!

Q: Where are you from?

A: Miyagi prefecture. I'm currently attending university, so I live in Fukushima.

Q: How long have you been doing music?

A: I've been in the choir since kindergarten. I started playing an instrument in high school.

Q: What is it like being in the Tohoku Youth Orchestra (TYO)?

A: It's interesting that there are a wide range of ages, from 4th grade elementary school students to university students. I also belong to a general orchestra, but most of the people there are older than me. TYO is very youthful.

Q: Has anything changed since before and after 3/11?

A: The earthquake happened during the day, so my family wasn't at home. So I felt a great sense of relief when everyone came home at night. I began to feel grateful for my family.

Q: Having moved from Miyagi to Fukushima, are there any differences you notice?

A: The Fukushima I know is inland, so I don't feel it's that different. It recovered quickly. But because of the nuclear accident, there are machines that measure radiation in many places.

Q: People say a lot about radiation, but what is it like living there?

A: There is a lot of information on the Internet that may or may not be true, but when you actually live there, there are only a few places where radiation levels are high.

Q: When you're in an orchestra, do you get to know the audience's reaction?

A: I know, but I try not to look at it (laughs).

Q: What is it like practicing in your current environment with so many different people?

A: Since I can only meet with my friends once a month, I share important things to be careful about and give them advice on social media.

Q: What should we listen for at the March concert?

A: I have a song that I arranged for orchestra the folk songs from the three Tohoku prefectures, and I would love for you to listen to it. Also, I'm looking forward to the song that Ryuichi Sakamoto will be participating in.