Course Title: Joy of Singing Musicals

¥50,599

Course Code: JSM101

Course Period: 2025/9/27-11/15

Day: Sat

Time: 11:00-13:20

Hours: 20

Sessions: 8

Instructional Language: English

English Proficiency Level: Any Level

Location: In-Person (Tokyo)

Course Description: This class is for those that love music, singing, and diving into “all things” musicals. We will spend much of the time singing musicals that are known worldwide and have exciting stories within. We will choose a different musical each semester. We will explore the meaning of and how the original musical was created. We will dive into little tidbits about the composers, directors, and more. But, mostly, we will have an excellent time singing! We will have a chance to bring the music to life with our own voices.  We will produce an informal concert at the end of each term for a family and friends.

Learning Objectives:
・Discover how fun and easy it is to explore exciting songs from theaters around the world.
・Enjoy a fantastic vocal workout that is both fun and stress-relieving, strengthening your voice for speaking and energizing you through music.
・Learn to perform musical theatre songs as a group in an informal concert. (Solo performances are optional, with solo training available upon request.)

Who should take this course: Those who enjoy musicals and singing.

Textbook: No required textbook

Instructor: Kensuke Hakoda

Instructor Biography: Dr. Hakoda is currently the Head of Music and Expressive Arts at Malvern College Tokyo. Prior to this, he was an instructor at Aoba Japan International School and a professional conductor of symphony orchestras and musicals. He has also been a Professor/teacher for over 20 years in the United States. Dr. Hakoda has directed Musical Theatres and Operas for professional companies as well as community-based theater/schools throughout his career, with over 40 shows to his credit. In addition, Dr. Hakoda is a talented composer with over 20 works to his name. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the 1998 Claude T. Smith Phi Beta Mu Composition Contest, the 1996 MMEA Collegiate Composition Contest, and a Departmental Distinction at St. Olaf College. He also received the 2003 Outstanding Young Band Director Award from the Kansas Bandmasters Association and was named the 2014 Kansas Federated Music Club “Composer/Conductor of the Year.” Recently, he produced a CD titled “This is Me!” for professional singer Deris Takagi, which includes both musical covers and original songs. Dr. Hakoda holds a Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University, a Master of Music Degree from Wichita State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Olaf College.