I AM THE MUSIC MAKER

By Tomohiro Alexander Nibe
(Age 13, Japan & U.S.A)

My mom says I talk too much, I like to be the center of attention and my voice booms. The very qualities that drive my family crazy are the ones that may help me achieve my dreams. Looking at my reflection, I see a unique person who loves tradition, admires the Classics, and loathes conformity. When I stand on stage, I feel like I'm on the top of the world. The people in the audience smile at me and I believe that I have the ability to make them happy. My dream is to inspire people of the world with music the same way that music has inspired me.

We are the music makers,
We are the dreamers of dreams …
We are the movers and shakers
Of the world forever, it seems.
Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy Ode:'We are the Music Makers'

When I first heard a performance by Pavarotti, I knew deep down that I wanted to be like him. His voice inspired me: I felt hopeful about the future; I felt excited; I felt motivated to pursue my dreams. Sometimes, by seeing or hearing something or someone so wonderful, we feel that we can do anything. A great work of art or an extraordinary performance can fill us with such awe and be so uplifting that we walk away believing that we too can achieve our potential. I had the privilege to sing on stage as a choirboy with the Hungarian Opera company during their performance of "Tosca." Backstage, the butterflies churned in my stomach but when I saw the audience before me and felt the presence of the opera members about me, I suddenly felt confident. This is where I wanted to be. I think that I can combine my stage presence with my voice and love of music to inspire other people and bring them hope and happiness.

I hadn't considered a career in entertainment seriously until I read the story of Eric Liddell. Eric's family expected him to become a missionary but when he realized that he had the gift of running, he wanted to be a runner. He made the best use of his talent by preaching to the crowds who gathered at his races. My teachers expect that I use my bilingual and bicultural background in a career as a translator. During the past year, I performed in several concerts and musicals that have made me realize that I want to be a singer, perhaps in opera or live theater. These days, most entertainment is so impersonal. I, on the other hand, feel a need to connect with real people. The Internet can connect us but it is void of emotion. By singing or acting on stage, I can share my feelings and I can communicate with people on a more personal level. The theater would be a great forum for my voice and personality.

Theater is not my only option. As everyone tells me, I talk a lot. Maybe, because I'm bilingual, I have twice as much to say! Growing up in Japan with an American mother and Japanese father has allowed me to develop my language skills and given me plenty of chances to practice translating. Talking too much and wanting the center stage can be a real advantage, as I found during the Children's World Water Forum in Osaka. Even though I attended as an observer, within a few hours I found myself translating for some of the meetings. The participants came from 58 different countries and I provided a small bridge between Japan and the rest of the world. Somehow, I ended up on center stage and organized our members into singing a round of "We Are the World," (Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie, 1985). At that moment, I felt I had really accomplished something that touched many people in a personal way. I knew that I could use my voice, my music and my ego to bring joy and happiness to others.

Music and theatre are universal forms of communication that unite the people of the world. Rhythms, sounds, lyrics and movement can carry a message across all borders. When there is hardship or heartache, music can comfort and encourage the listener. For me, it provides an escape from my worries. I have found so much inspiration in the musical arts, opera and traditional music. I hope that someday, by combining my stage presence, my voice, my love of music and my bicultural skills, I can inspire the dreamers and bring them hope and happiness. I want to be the one who moves and shakes world with music.