14-year old from Saipan in Ukulele competition
Shin Kimura, 14, will represent Saipan in the upcoming Ukulele Contest Japan to be held at the Millennium Hall in Asakusa Taito-Ku in Tokyo.
Kimura was selected among hundreds of aspirants from all over Japan. He said he was completely surprised when he found out that he made it to the Top 16 contestants that would be competing on Nov. 23.
The competition is held every two years and has been regarded to be the most renowned within the ukulele enthusiasts and musical organizations in Japan. He said he is excited and at the same anxious to be among the best ukulele players in Japan.
Kimura began playing the ukulele when he was 10 years old while enrolled at Saipan Community School, where ukulele instructor and local artist Debbie Winkfield gave inspiration to the young lad. Now Kimura is a seventh grader at Grace Christian Academy but continues to practice with Winkfield at SCS every night.
Winkfield has been working with Kimura on his contest piece, a Star Spangled Banner and the Stars and Stripes medley, every after-school hours. She praises Kimura on his dedication and hard work.
Kimura said he regards Jake Shimabukuro, who held a concert and a series of school presentations here in the CNMI in 2005, as his inspiration. He said he can’t think of anything more about what’s at stake for him in the competition.
He is set to leave on Nov. 21, two days before the competition date. He will be back on Saipan on Nov. 24.
Complete story can be found at the Saipan Tribune here.
