JJC Professor earns Nationally Certified Teacher of Music credential

Yukiko Fujimura, a professor at Joliet Junior College, has become the first JJC teacher to earn a national certificate in music. Fujimura has been awarded the National Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) credential. She got the award on the base of her compliance with five essential areas to teach music.

The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) has awarded the NCTM credential to Fujimura. The certification program of the MTNA aims to improve professionalism in the field of music teaching. Fujimura will get an opportunity to grow in terms of teaching music through this NCTM credential. Fujimura said, “I am now very involved with the Illinois state chapter of MTNA.”

Fujimura has been nominated to co-chair a music competition at the state level. She also needs to renew her certificate each year. The renewal of the certificate is required to ensure that she is involved in professional development, education, and leadership opportunities. Fujimura started her music career as a toddler in Kanagawa, Japan as she is a native of there. She got her bachelor’s degree in Piano from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.

Fujimura got her doctorate degree in piano from Ball State University. She belongs to a musical family as her mother is a pianist and her father plays the cello. She started learning music from her parents when she was 3 years old. She said, “I always knew I wanted to become a musician.” She has been teaching music at JJC since 2018.

According to her, she is enjoying teaching at JJC as the students and staff of the college are dedicated. She always gives great pieces of advice to her students. She said, “Listen to great music often and develop your ears.” She advises her students to practice as much as they can. The development of a technique is important in the field of music, according to her. She added, “Practicing only gets harder once you are out of school.”