Michiyo Yoshimura (Michi) was born in Tokyo, Japan, and began playing the piano at the age of five. While majoring in psychology in college, she also discovered her passion for jazz piano and performed in a college band. Driven by a desire to experience the jazz scene in New York, she came to the United States in 1990 and continues to explore jazz improvisation today.

Michi was inspired to pursue music therapy after volunteering at a children’s hospital, where she witnessed children with severe brain injuries respond to music with their whole bodies despite being unable to speak. Through this experience, she became deeply convinced of the power of music and decided to dedicate her career to helping others through music therapy.

She earned a BA in Music Therapy from Molloy College and an MA in Music Therapy from New York University. Throughout her career, Michi has worked with a wide range of populations, including individuals with autism, older adults with dementia, hospice patients, and patients in ventilator units in nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals. She also advanced her clinical training at the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at NYU, earning a Level 2 certification in this approach, where she gained extensive experience working with children with special needs.

Michi’s clinical approach is person-centered and individualized to meet each client’s unique strengths and needs. She believes in supporting self-expression, meaningful interaction, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment through music. In addition to her clinical work, she has extensive experience teaching piano to both children and adults, including individuals with special needs.

Michi is excited to join the Hug Music Team and looks forward to supporting each student’s musical and personal growth through compassionate and creative music-making experiences.