Welcome to Mihoko's Website! 

I am compassionate and have been curious about many things, wearing hats as a Performer, Educator, Entrepreneur, Ethnomusicologist, and Mindful Meditation Teacher and Practitioner.

Let me tell you about my short life journey. I was born and raised in Japan and lived there through my undergraduate degree. Before coming to the USA to study for my Master's degree at Eastman School of Music, I never even had a passport. Yes, my very first trip with an airplane was a one-way ticket to a foreign country.

How did I do? Well, considering I have been in North America for more than 30 years now, I think I did all right :)!

How was my English, then? Not good! But, with my deep curiosity and motivation for English and music, I became well-versed enough to graduate with my masters' degree and Performer's Certificate from Eastman School of Music.

Life has never been dull! Studying full-time for the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in flute performance and for the specialist certificate in Ethnomusicology at the University of Michigan, plus teaching Flute and World Music at the University of Windsor, Canada, trained me in time management skills at an extreme level. 

My first full-time job was at the Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. Johns, NL, Canada. I appreciated the one year immensely:  kind colleagues, beautiful views everywhere, and the historical and cultural differences on the island.

My tenure-track journey started at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. I learned many things there, such as event creating, promotion and tenure process, communication skills, and balancing work and private time. I developed the flute studio both in level and numbers and furthermore created a new chamber music series. Creating this performing community was especially gratifying. A faculty grant I received enabled me to write and present an article on Japanese music both in the USA and abroad.

Currently, I am a professor of flute and chair of Entrepreneurial Studies in Music and Woodwind Area Coordinator at Ball State University (BSU). Here I have learned the skill of saying no and have deepened my mindfulness practice. I have received several Teaching and Creative Endeavor awards and continue to advocate for inclusivity and diversity, and for innovative careers for musicians.

I cannot express enough my gratitude for the support I have received from my family, friends, and so many people along the way! 

If you want to know more, I invite you to download the documents below. 

Enjoy my website!