Our Inspiration
Mrs. Wie, 4 years old
I moved to the United States from Japan when I was 10 years old. At that time, I did not speak or understand English, but had been studying violin since she was 4 years old. Initially, at school, I had a hard time making friends and many of my classmates thought that I had a learning disability. When I was 11 years old, my parents enrolled me into a Suzuki group class, where I was able to play my violin confidently even with the language barrier. In group classes, I was able to connect with many musicians there, and I felt accepted as part of the community.
Although going through the pandemic is not the same as my childhood experience, it is similar in a way that we can feel very isolated. As Musissho, we wanted to provide an opportunity for musicians to consistently come together to play music, and to feel connect with one another. However, we didn't want to just merely fill in the void - we wanted to do more. We decided to create original orchestrated backing tracks while preserving the composer's original score material as much as possible. The backing tracks you have been hearing during the Play-Ins is the product of our idea, and we continue to create new arrangements as well as refining our existing arrangements, and expanding on our vision by orchestrating ensemble pieces for all levels.
We hope to be making music together (一緒), and we hope that your experience with music will contribute to the quality of life for your lifetime (一生).
Chika Wie
Musissho Co-Founder
Although going through the pandemic is not the same as my childhood experience, it is similar in a way that we can feel very isolated. As Musissho, we wanted to provide an opportunity for musicians to consistently come together to play music, and to feel connect with one another. However, we didn't want to just merely fill in the void - we wanted to do more. We decided to create original orchestrated backing tracks while preserving the composer's original score material as much as possible. The backing tracks you have been hearing during the Play-Ins is the product of our idea, and we continue to create new arrangements as well as refining our existing arrangements, and expanding on our vision by orchestrating ensemble pieces for all levels.
We hope to be making music together (一緒), and we hope that your experience with music will contribute to the quality of life for your lifetime (一生).
Chika Wie
Musissho Co-Founder
About Us
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Chika and Gene Wie are the co-founders of Musissho, and are music performers and educators who have pioneered a wide range of technology-based music curriculum to serve students internationally. For over a decade, they have partnered to bring into reality numerous non-profit and community service organizations that provide access to music-making for musicians of all ages and ability levels.
The onset and continued scourge of the Covid-19 pandemic has stretched music teachers to the breaking point, as they have struggled to engage their students while also maintaining their own health and wellness. Musissho.org is a project that has grown out of our individual efforts to support our colleagues and students, and we pledge to continue offering these resources at no cost to our music community. |
The Musissho Team
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Chika Wie
Play-In Course Leader, Music Arranger, Curriculum Development, Violin Gene Wie Music Orchestrator, Audio Recording/Production, Information Technology, Clarinet |
Lexi Vollero
Music Composer/Arranger, Graphic Design, Viola Jillian Risigari-Gai Lopez Music Arranger, Harp |
Hosted Teachers
Catherine Velazquez
Musical Storytime/Teatime (Early Elementary)
Musical Storytime/Teatime (Early Elementary)
Partnering Teachers
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Laurel MacCulloch
Surrey, BC |
Anne Marie Haber
Suzuki Community Strings |
Jennifer Visick
Pasadena, CA |
