Hello Everyone!
My name is Stephen Takayuki Charette.
I am an English-Japanese speaking bilingual conductor.
Let me give you a brief background of what I do.
<As a Musician>
Twenty years ago, after graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Music with a bachelors degree in clarinet performance, I moved to Japan to begin my career as a professional clarinetist. I have gained a lot of experience in performing many concerts and I would be happy to share what I have learned over the years. (Clarinet lessons are
here)
Then, one day, I decided to
become a conductor! (If you would like to hear more about that, please click
here.) I then went on to the graduate with a Masters in conducting at the Tokyo University of the Arts and started my career as a conductor, currently conducting various orchestras.
(Here is a picture of me condcuting a dress rehearsal with the Iwaki Symphony Orchestra at Iwaki Alios Main Hall in Fukushima)
<As a Music and English Teacher>
Immediately after arriving in Japan, I also gained experience teaching music in English to students of various nationalities and ages at an International School located in Hiroo, Tokyo. Here, I learned skills as a teacher that are different from my skills as a musician. One such skill would be how to motivate students and teach them accurately and sincerely.
I have received many requests for private English lessons, and have led more than 100 students to pass the English (Eiken) exam, and have also successfully raised their TOEIC scores. My strength is that I can offer lessons that meets the students each individual needs. Some examples are, casual conversation, pronunciation correction, essay writing, etc.
Currently, I am gaining more experience in conducting a large number of players, so I am proud to say that my teaching methods have been further brushed up. In fact, I have received lot's of positive feedback from people who've taken my lessons! (Click here for all the reviews I have received at Cafetalk so far.)
<My English Teaching Points>
・ I am a bilingual teacher, which is surprisingly rare. Follow-ups are available in Japanese, so even beginners can communicate with ease. For intermediate to advanced students, I can explain in Japanese the nuances of native English in more detail, so that you can understand how to speak and write in a more fluent way.
→ I recommend a one on one consultation here first
・ The content of the lessons can be individually arranged according to the student's wishes. I believe that the best way to learn English is to teach students what they are interested in. I believe customizing lessons to each individuals needs is very important. Let's start by making a plan together!
→ Click here for a free written consultation
・ In the end, English is just a tool, not an end in itself. Even if you are able to achieve a high score on the Eiken or TOEIC, don't you think it's meaningless if you cannot do anything with the English you learned? For example, if you learn English, the amount of information you can acquire will increase dramatically. It can also be applied to business and will enable you to communicate with many people around the world. To put it another way, I believe that certification exams should be used as a guide to help you reach your goal.
→ Click here for the Eiken Preparation Course
→ Click here for the TOEIC Preparation Course
・ I also can meet other needs such as English correction, translation, reading out loud, and interview preparation. If you do not see what you are looking for in my list of lessons, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be flexible in order to meet your needs!
→ Click here to contact me
Profile
Stephen Takayuki Charette /スティーブン 孝之 シャレット
Born in Seattle, Washington on February 7th 1981. Raised in Detroit, Michigan.
Fully bilingual in English and Japanese with an American Father and Japanese Mother. Came to Japan in 2003 and has been active in Japan as a classical musician.
Education
1996~1999 Interlochen Arts Academy(Clarinet Performance)
1999~2003 Cleveland Institute of Music(Bachelors in Clarinet Performance)
2006~2008 Tokyo University of the Arts (Masters in Conducting)
Work Experience
2003~2010 International School of the Sacred Heart- Music Teacher (All classes held in English)
2003~2006 Active as a clarinetist in as a soloist and various orchestras including the Kosei Wind Orchestra.
2008~Present Has conducted the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Central Aichi Symphony Orchestra, Geidai Philharmonia, Aizu Citizen's Orchestra, Iwaki Symphony Orchestra, Ibaraki Symphony Orchestra, Sumida Triphony Hall Junior Orchestra, Tsukuba University Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Chorus, Bunkyo Civic Chorus, and others.
Translation and Interpreting Experience
Has translated music-related programs and various magazine articles(Japanese to English and English to Japanese)Interpreting for foreign music artists and conductors (Japanese to English and English to Japanese)
I can translate and interpret in many various fields.
Qualifications
Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level N1
Kodokan Judo First Degree Black Belt (Shodan)
***runc