Reference is listed in alphabetical order. Original copies are kept at Araya Piano Studio. Thank you for those who gave me a permit to post the recommendation here.
From Mr. Joseph Banowetz
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to furnish Mr. Yuko Araya with a general letter of recommendation. I have been acquainted with Mr. Araya during the entire course of his graduate study at the University of North Texas, having acted as his Major Professor in piano performance during his masters and doctoral studies.
Mr. Araya is a remarkable artist-performer. He possesses the highest level of keyboard virtuosity, and is able to combine this with sensitivity and intellectual control. His performances desplay a wide range of stylistic command.
Mr. Araya is a highly experienced teacher, who has been extremely successful with students of all ages and levels. He is able to impart his ideas in a clear, intelligible manner. As a person, Mr. Araya is warm and personable, with a strong dedication and enthusiasm for his work.
I feel I can recommend Mr. Araya without reservation as an artist-performer, musician teacher, and person.
I recommend Mr. Yuko Araya as a piano teacher. He has many years of experience in playing the piano and has earned academic degrees from the Kunitachi Performing Arts College in Tokyo, Japan in 1982 and a Master's Degree in Piano Performance from the University of North Texas in 1987. Mr. Araya was invited to study at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1994.
I have known Mr. Araya for over 10 years and am one of his adult students. So I can attest to his ability as a piano teacher. I consider myself very fortunate to have had Mr. Araya as my piano teacher. Over the course of ten years my wife and I have accepted him as one of our close friends and can vouch for his integrity and upright character.
GEORGE M. FUKUI, ph.D.
From Mr. John Jones
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
As a piano technician, I service the instruments of many teachers as well as their students' pianos. I become familiar with their performance and, over time, I am able to follow their progress.
When I had to choose a teacher for lessons for my own daughter my choice was easy: Mr. Araya. Of all the students his progress best. It has been a year and a half now since my daughter takes lessons and she likes her teacher. He is calm and concentrated and she really learns. She is proud of how much she was able to achieve in this short time.
Therefore, it is a pleasure for me to give Mr. Araya my highest recommendations. Should you consider him as a teacher for your child or for yourself please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.