We were lucky to catch up with Yuriko Shibata recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Yuriko, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
As a Japanese composer making her way in the American musical theater world, I’ve faced my fair share of moments where I felt like the only one who looks like me in the room. Navigating through the American theater scene as a minority hasn’t been a walk in the park, let me tell you.
When I first landed in the U.S. from Japan, the cultural switch-up was like going from sushi to hot dogs – quite the adjustment! Entering NYU in 2021, I was the lone Japanese soul in that class, wrestling with English like I was trying to crack a complex code. In acting class, while everyone’s reading effortlessly and catching the acting vibe, I’m glued to the script, delivering lines in a bit of a robot mode; just waiting for class to wrap up. Language hurdles, you know?!
Grad school graduation brought me into the wild world of musical theater composing, where I found myself swimming in a sea of male dominance. Talk about feeling like a musical minnow in a big pond! There were moments I felt like my voice was on mute, hesitant to share my thoughts. Yet, amidst the challenges, I clung to one thing – my belief in my musical chops. Unlike the complexities of language barriers, music is the universal language we all understand. Crafting beautiful melodies and nailing down musical themes became my jam, and, lo and behold, folks started nodding along.
Here’s my two cents for those facing similar uphill battles: find what makes you a musical maestro, polish it up, and watch those hurdles crumble like a well-baked cookie. In America, real efforts and talents are like VIP passes – accepted, evaluated, and appreciated. Don’t let being a minority rain on your parade; instead, let it be the spark that makes you shine like a diamond.
Believe in yourself, trust your musical prowess, and keep composing those unique tunes. You’ve got the rhythm of success in you!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Yuriko Shibata, a musical multitasker here in the heart of NYC. Besides my main gig – composing for musical theatre – I wear many hats, like orchestrator, accompanist, musical director, and copyist.
What gets me buzzing? Crafting melodies that aren’t just notes; they’re emotions, stories that talk straight to your heart, regardless of the language you speak. I believe powerful music acts like a magical lens, helping us see others more clearly and connecting us to our humanity. With each composition, my goal is to deepen your bond with the world, leaving you with characters’ tales that light up new paths in your mind and nurture empathy. Through my music, I quietly say, “You’re not alone. Your voice matters.”
In my musical backpack, you’ll find SKIN, making waves with an Off-Broadway workshop at Rattlestick Theater. My tunes have hit the spotlight at places like Don’t Tell Mama, Green Room 42, and the prestigious Lincoln Centre. Oh, and I directed music for a movie called “Jesus,” winning a prize at the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain.
Now, I didn’t just stumble into this musical world; I earned my stripes studying music composition at the Tokyo College of Music and Musical Theater Writing at NYU’s Tisch School of The Arts. And guess what? I’m not done yet! Right now, I’m rocking it at fellowship programs like the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, Theater Now’s Musical Writers Lab, and The UNTITLED Writers Group, creating new musical magic with some top-notch NYC artists.
And here’s the scoop: the off-Broadway cast album for SKIN is dropping soon – hang tight! So, jump on this musical journey with me, let the tunes weave stories for you, and remember, your voice matters in this symphony of life!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In my journey, three qualities that made a big impact were 1. imitation, 2. collaboration, and 3. grit. Now, these aren’t just for artists and musicians; they’re like the special ingredients for any career. Let me break it down.
First off, imitation – not copying, but learning from your role models. It’s like building a treasure chest of knowledge for your future gigs. Take a cue from the greats who came before you.
Next up, collaboration is a must in any job. You can’t go solo and expect to hit it big. Good teammates not only lift your spirits but also bring in fresh perspectives. The more voices, the more interesting the conversation!
lastly, grit – the secret sauce to success. Even if you’re a talent powerhouse and a collaboration champ, you need grit. It’s about putting in the hard work, staying ambitious, and staying hungry for success. Keep at it, don’t give up – that’s the grit I’m talking about.
So, for all you budding composers out there, remember: learn from the greats, team up for success, and always bring your grit game. Your journey will thank you for it!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Katsumi Hori, my college mentor, deserves a standing ovation in my journey as a musical theater composer. Back in the college days, my big dream was to compose mood-setting music for video scenes. Hori guided me through an incredible training regime, introducing various approaches. The game-changer? Mastery through imitation. In our college class, we dissected masterpieces, discussed our perspectives, and then imitated these gems in our compositions weekly. This imitation gig opened up new horizons I hadn’t even dreamed of.
Fast forward to NYU, where I crossed paths with Mel Marvin. He didn’t just teach me to use the tools of others’ voices; he helped me discover my own. Mel unfolded the power of storytelling, transforming me into not just a composer but a dramatist. Hori taught me the ropes, and Mel helped me find my own voice and the magic of storytelling.
Sure, I’ve carved a bit of a path as a musical theater composer, but let’s face it – I didn’t do it solo. Enter Andrew Strano, my writing partner for SKIN, and Alyssa See Tho, my thesis collaborator at the BMI workshop. Collaborating with these fantastic minds, we’ve shared our voices, shaped our thoughts, and provided each other with a safety net to create work that’s a beautiful blend of all of us. Their brilliance inspires me, and my music lights a creative spark in them.
Now, about grit and melody – the secret sauce in composition. It’s my storytelling ninja move, but let’s keep it real; crafting the perfect melody can be a time-consuming puzzle. When I hit a creative slump, Hori’s wise words echo in my mind, “Stay open! The gods will send you a melody out of the blue!” So, I keep at it, keep thinking, and, like clockwork, a melody blessed by the gods appears.
In this musical journey, I’ve learned one thing for sure – it’s a team effort. Hori, Mel, Andrew, Alyssa, and many more have been my musical companions, turning challenges into symphonies. And hey, a little divine melody magic doesn’t hurt either!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yuriko-shibata.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yulilymusic/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/yuriko-shibata-2
Image Credits
Kaoru Mochida, Matt Davis, Shina Peng
