Mari Kawamura shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Mari, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: When have you felt most loved—and did you believe you deserved it?
I felt most loved the first time I saw my baby boy on the ultrasound. Seeing those tiny feet and hands felt like a gift from something greater than myself — a kind of love that came from above. For a long moment, I couldn’t believe I deserved it; since then, I’ve been learning to accept that some gifts don’t need earning, only gratitude.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mari Kawamura, and I’m a pianist who is endlessly curious about sound, silence, and the way music connects us as human beings. I perform concerts around the world, and I also collaborate with composers and other artists to create something new. Just as much as performing, I’m passionate about teaching—both piano and Suzuki Early Childhood Education for very young children. Music is at the heart of what I do, but for me it’s never just about the notes—it’s about creating moments of wonder, intimacy, and connection.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I first felt powerful when I was performing a Schubert sonata on stage as a high school student. There’s a moment where everything falls into silence—a long rest. In that pause, I felt the sound traveling through the space and coming back to me, and I realized it wasn’t truly silent. The hall was alive with resonance, with breath, with presence. That moment stayed with me so deeply that years later, I wrote my dissertation on the subject of silence in music. It taught me that silence isn’t emptiness—it’s a kind of power.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self: even when something terrible happens, it can lead you to somewhere better. So don’t worry—relax, trust the process, and know that life has its own unfolding. Every high and low will shape you into who you’re meant to become.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire little children. They are uncompromising and true to their feelings, untouched by the expectations of others, living fully in the present moment. Their honesty and openness inspire me, both as a teacher and a musician, reminding me to approach my students, my music, and life itself with curiosity, authenticity, and presence.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
I feel that all my dreams have come true, in one way or another. And yet, as soon as something is realized, the heart naturally reaches for more. We are never fully satisfied, and that restless desire is part of the force of nature itself. In music, in teaching, and in life, this longing drives us forward—it keeps us curious, alive, and constantly reaching for the next note, the next moment, the next possibility.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marikawamura.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kawamura_mari/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marikawamura8609
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