“Our team is strengthened thanks to their demonstrated leadership, vision and commitment to music education, which has always been a top priority for Yamaha,” said Mike Morrell, department manager, Yamaha Music Education System.
BUENA PARK, Calif. (PRWEB) June 04, 2015
Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) today announced that Lillian Symmonds and Tom Hemphill have been appointed to new roles on the Yamaha Music Education System (YMES) management team. Symmonds, who previously served as assistant director of the Yamaha Music School of Boston, was promoted to YMES Corporate School Director, and Hemphill, also an experienced professional in music education, has joined Yamaha as a Marketing Manager with YMES.
“With Lily and Tom onboard in these roles, our team is strengthened thanks to their demonstrated leadership, vision and commitment to music education, which has always been a top priority for Yamaha,” said Mike Morrell, department manager, Yamaha Music Education System. “Their passion, dedication and backgrounds in bringing the gift of music to schools, young people and music lovers of all ages will certainly enhance the success of YMES in achieving our educational goals.”
The Yamaha Music Education System, which dates back to the 1950's, centers on YCA’s core belief in not only making quality music products, but also educating people of all ages around the globe on how to use those products, as well as develop an appreciation for music. Designed to meet the unique needs and developmental stages of each age group, YMES programs develop each student's comprehensive musical ability in an environment that inspires a love of music and a lifetime of active music participation.
Symmonds assumes her new position following three years at the Yamaha Music School of Boston, where she served as office manager before being named assistant director. In that capacity, Symmonds made vital contributions by maintaining day-to-day operations and developing strong relationships with students, parents and teachers. In doing so, she also developed an excellent understanding of the school, as well as the mission, goals and operation of the school and YMES.
Symmonds, who holds a bachelor of arts degree from Wellesley College and a master’s degree in music composition from the California Institute of the Arts, said she looks forward to her new role. “It’s pretty rare to find a job that suits all of one’s skills and passions, and I have been incredibly fortunate to find that at Yamaha Music School of Boston,” she said. “As a musician, the Yamaha Music Education System speaks to me on a fundamental level and its comprehensive approach is unparalleled. Working with children has long been part of my life and I believe it’s a true honor and sacred charge to provide children’s musical education. The Corporate School serves as an institution for musical excellence, carries the responsibility to help children develop a lifetime love of music and just as importantly, as a platform for the Yamaha brand to shine.”
Prior to recently joining YCA, Hemphill worked eight years at Guitar Center as director of Guitar Center Studios, which he grew from concept to 80 locations nationwide. Prior to his tenure at Guitar Center, Hemphill was vice president of Lesson Factory, a music education company.
In addition to being an alumnus of the University of Oregon, Hemphill is a guitarist and graduate of Musicians Institute who discovered his deep interest in teaching very early in his professional life. Driven by his belief that music enriches life and society, Hemphill has devoted his career to understanding how the music business and music education can work together toward a higher purpose.
“I am very honored to join Yamaha Corporation of America, a company that has a rich heritage in providing quality music education worldwide,” Hemphill said. “Learning to play an instrument is an experience every person can benefit from. I look forward to contributing innovative new approaches that enhance our program and promote music education to many more music makers.”
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About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America (YCA) is one of the largest subsidiaries of Yamaha Corporation, Japan and offers a full line of award-winning musical instruments, sound reinforcement and home entertainment products to the U.S. market. Products include: Yamaha acoustic, digital and hybrid pianos, portable keyboards, guitars, acoustic and electronic drums, band and orchestral instruments, marching percussion products, synthesizers, professional digital and analog audio equipment, Steinberg recording products and Nexo commercial audio products, as well as AV receivers, amplifiers, Blu-ray/CD players, iPod docking systems, earphones, headphones, home-theater-in-a-box systems, sound bars and its exclusive line of Digital Sound Projectors. YCA markets innovative, finely crafted technology and entertainment products and musical instruments targeted to the hobbyist, education, worship, professional music, installation and consumer markets.
