March 29, 2004
West Junior High School
At 2 p.m. on Monday, March 29th, sisters Yuki and Tomoko Mack arrived
at West Junior High in Columbia for their Master Class among about twenty
students from the Accompaniment Club, parents and several faculty members.
Vibrant and charming, the Japanese-American duo first introduced themselves
to the students, and then extended a welcome for one student to come
play his piece for them and the class. The audience listened on, as one
Mack sister followed the music and the other watched the boy’s
hands and body closely. Once the boy finished, both sisters complimented
his understanding of emotion and the "rhapsody." They then
made constructive criticisms, and the audience watched as the student
improved upon his piece before everyone’s eyes. Then they called
up the second student to play his piece; and the process was repeated
with entirely different critiques and improved skill.
After the Master Class for the two students, the Mack Duo put on a 20-minute
mini-performance for the audience, during which the members of the Accompaniment
Club were able to watch the two professional concert pianists up-close – an
opportunity rarely afforded to students this age. Admittedly, the Mack
sisters have a difficult time stopping once they start playing; and the
students were appreciative of such passion.
Once the performance was over, the Mack sisters eagerly answered various
questions from both students and faculty. They described how they got
into piano at a young age in Japan; how they continued in the United
States; and how they teamed up to become the touring duo they are today.
After the question-and-answer portion of the activity, everyone mingled
and gathered for refreshments. Yuki and Tomoko continued discussing the
pieces with the student performers; and they also relayed opportunities
for young talent to perform abroad.