Category Archives: Music

Life In Japan: Clouds

Posted on September 11, 2024 by johnrachel

Clouds sure carry a variety of messages, encourage some wild imaginings, evoke a range of reactions and sentiments. The clouds here in rural Japan are splendiferous! Continue reading →

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LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited Redux

Posted on July 5, 2024 by johnrachel

My my how time flies! LIVE FROM JAPAN! was published end of January, 2021. I sent the first shot of love here to the fans of the book June 2023. Then, as now, I let everyone know that the saga continues, as I regularly post articles on new happenings and my evolving perspective on life here as an American expat. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: My Wife the Drummer

Posted on June 21, 2024 by johnrachel

Despite more than thirty years teaching kids both how to play and how to appreciate music, my wife is still improving her “chops” both at pedagogy and performing music. She is already a marvelous piano player and singer, and regularly takes ballet classes. Much to my genuine delight, she now dedicates much time and energy to learning cello and DRUMS! Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Music Education

Posted on December 18, 2023 by johnrachel

I continue to be amazed at the level of education here in Japan. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Excellence Begins Young

Posted on April 27, 2023 by johnrachel

My wife Masumi loves to show me success stories she comes across, examples of how the educational system in Japan serves the real needs of students and doesn’t abandon its core mission by pandering to the latest technological fads. We have here two such examples. Continue reading →

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Happy New Year (from Japan)

Posted on January 1, 2023 by johnrachel

It’s New Years Day here in Japan as I write this. The world has another chance at getting it right, 365 days to show respect and love for one another. I know that 99% of us will try to do just that. Continue reading →

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World War III is coming . . . LET’S DANCE!

Posted on May 26, 2022 by John Rachel

Getting together, whether it’s to dance, or to protest the abuses and humiliations we all endure just trying to survive, or to show up en masse at the polls and vote the pay-for-play lapdogs of the rich and powerful out of office, or to just talk to one another and try to sort out the mess our country is in — yes, getting together — is exactly what we must be doing! It’s not just a pretty thought. Frankly it’s a matter of survival! Continue reading →

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Make Beautiful Music, Earn Big Bucks!

Posted on May 21, 2022 by John Rachel

Success isn’t just knocking, it’s beating down my door. I got the news this week. It’s straight to the top from here! Continue reading →

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What Goes Down Must Come Up!

Posted on December 30, 2021 by johnrachel

All we can do is do our best . . . Continue reading →

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Wow! Britney Spears!

Posted on September 14, 2021 by John Rachel

After years and years of struggle and legal battles, this courageous lady has finally escaped the court-ordered lockdown which imposed on her the random tyranny of a bunch of old white men, and kneecapped her brilliant career. We should all be very grateful that her nightmare is over. Britney Spears is free! Free to lead us to a glorious and redeeming future. Or at least get us dancing. Continue reading →

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