
Ryan Wagner
Who has traveled to Japan to perform and teach several times since 2004 with Yamamoto-sensei’s guidance. Currently his Japanese host-family’s daughter whom he met in 2004 is studying English at Ever Green College, Auburn, Washington.
“It is not possible for me to fully express the impact Yamamoto-Sensei has had on my life and the lives of students around the world. The opportunities he has created for myself and others through music and cultural exchange have been truly life changing. I have been fortunate enough to watch him teach and come away a better musician and teacher every time, but what I have learned from him more than anything else is to always think of others before yourself. The way Yamamoto-sensei exemplifies this seemingly simple life lesson is inspirational. Everything he does is based on helping others, and what is best for the students. I believe this is how we can all change the world for the better, and Tomio Yamamoto is doing that.”