John Kamitsuka

In-school Notables: His parents were among the missionaries who started the school; sailed boats in muddy waters on campus

Post-School Accomplishments: Renowned pianist; has played at many notable venues including Carnegie Hall

Find out more about John from a recent Huskies article (2023) or his most recent appearance (2024) or through his Yamaha bio.

Feel free to also watch one of his annual performances!

How many years were you at HIS? 

Most of grades 1-4. I left in 1963, in the fourth grade.

Why did you choose HIS? 

My parents were among the missionaries who started the school.

Where are you originally from? Where do you live now?

I was born in Princeton NJ. New York City. 

What’s your cultural background and/or nationality? 

Third generation Japanese-American

What’s one of your favorite memories from HIS?

Making up games to play during recess with friends. 

“Small communities make for good friendships. We didn’t have a fancy playground, so we had to make up games, like sailing boats in muddy waters.” 

What were your favorite classes?

Courses about literature and history were generally my favorite classes.

What was the most valuable experience you had at HIS and how is that experience continuing to help you today?

There was a pioneering spirit during the earliest days of HIS, and the fearless approach to trying new and untested projects stayed with me.

How did your experiences at HIS help you in your adult life?

The simplicity and lack of equipment that characterized the early days of HIS taught me the joys of delving into ones imagination.

What advice would you like to give to current Huskies?

Be yourself. Each of you was created wonderfully and uniquely—so be yourself.

You've come to perform at HIS many times. What impact do you hope for your music to have on the students?

If the students would realize that along with the horrors committed by humanity, humanity has also expended great energy to express the True, Beautiful, and Sublime and realize that the choice of how to live is dependent on each individual, I would gratified.

What advice would you give to students who are also interested in music?

Be ready to work tirelessly your whole life with Joy.