Japan to India, Violinist Mika Nishimura Opens New Doors For Children With Music

When violinist Mika Nishimura moved to India from Japan, she had not anticipated her newfound artistic freedom that would allow her to reimagine music as a tool for healing and empowerment. Though trained in the rigours of Western classical tradition, she discovered her true voice in nurturing children’s creativity, helping them find joy and confidence through music. In Mumbai, she co-founded the organisation, Sound of Soul, where music becomes not just performance, but therapy, leadership, and community.

In an interview with SheThePeople, Nishimura reflects on her journey, her philosophy of teaching, and how music can transform young lives.

Mika Nishimura in conversation with SheThePeople

STP: What inspired you to move from Japan to Mumbai, and how has that transition influenced your musical journey?

Mika Nishimura: Honestly, I never imagined my journey would lead me to Mumbai. My life in music had taken me across Europe and America, and later to Israel, where I was performing and studying. It was there that I met Maestro Zubin Mehta, who invited me to India to train music teachers at his institute.

At first, many people questioned why I would go to India — such a different culture, especially since I was rooted in Western classical music. But coming here turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. India allowed me to step outside the box, to reimagine myself, and to begin a musical journey that was truly my own.

STP:  Could you share your musical training background? How did your early violin education shape your path to founding Sound of Soul?

Mika Nishimura: My early musical training was very much in the old, traditional style of Western classical education. In Japan, there is even a saying: if the teacher says a crow is white, you must agree it is white. That was how I grew up learning — blindly following, never questioning. If you stepped out of the box, you were considered a failure. There was constant judgment, and while I did my best within that system, it often took away the joy of music.

When I first began the violin, it was pure happiness for me — an open way to express myself. But as I advanced, with teachers imposing rigid expectations and my mother, out of love, becoming stricter whenever she was told I was “talented,” music stopped being fun. If you didn’t play in a certain way, it was simply “wrong.”

Everything changed when, about ten years ago, I met my mentor, Mimi Zweig, at the Jacobs School of Music. Her approach was the opposite: a non-judgmental environment where children could play freely, happily, and without fear. Nobody shouted, and yet the students flourished. That experience melted the frozen parts of my heart.

It shaped the foundation of Sound of Soul. I promised myself that when I became a teacher, I would never judge my students. Instead, I would discover each child’s strengths, nurture them, and help them grow. You don’t need to be the “best” in technique — you can be unique, and music can still be your voice. That philosophy is the soul of my school.

STP: How did you personally come to realise the healing and uplifting power of music?

Mika Nishimura: I believe the healing and uplifting power of music is something you come to realise over a lifetime. For me, it’s still an ongoing journey. Whenever I share music with my students, I feel that I am healing myself at the same time. It’s difficult to describe in words, but it’s not only the music itself — it’s also the human connection, the act of giving back to society through music. Over time, these moments show me again and again how powerful music can be in lifting us up. I’m still learning and experiencing it every day.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mika Nishimura (@mika.n.violin)

STP: How do you design programs that go beyond performance to nurture leadership, creativity, and emotional well-being in children?

Mika Nishimura: Elevate was founded together with my friend Katheryn and me. We wanted to create a space where every child, no matter their background, could shine, not only through one aspect like sports, music, or leadership, but through all of them together. Music is the glue that connects these areas, giving children the courage to lead, the freedom to create, and the joy of working as a team.

From the very beginning, our vision has been to design a program that sees the whole child. At Elevate, every element — music, movement, and leadership — is equally important and deeply connected. It is more than just a camp; it is a space where children discover themselves, support one another, and grow as future leaders.

STP: Having trained in Japan but working in Mumbai, how do you negotiate your artistic identity between these vastly different worlds?

Mika Nishimura: I lived in Japan until I was 17, and after that, music carried me all over the world. For me, wherever there is music, it feels like home. Surrounded by friends, colleagues, and the shared language of music, I never really felt a sharp difference between Japan and Mumbai.

Music erases borders — it gives me a sense of belonging everywhere I go.

In that way, my artistic identity is not tied to one place, but to the universal home that music creates.

STP: Traditional musical pedagogy often emphasises rigour and perfection, yet your programs embrace creativity and movement. How do you blend discipline with freedom in young learners?

Mika Nishimura: One day, I realised that even what we call “traditional” was created by someone, at some point in time. We are taught to believe it is the only correct way, but tradition itself is just a choice that became established. If we create something new today, that too can become a tradition for the future. So why should we stop children from expressing their uniqueness? For each child, their own way of learning and expressing is valid.

I grew up in a very strict Western classical background, where music was considered something superior — something you had to listen to quietly, sitting still. But later, I met a friend from Uganda who told me that in her country, everyone dances during a concert. That opened my eyes. Why must we all follow the same rules? If a child feels joy in expressing themselves through movement, or through music in a different way, that is just as true as sitting silently.

For me, discipline and freedom are not opposites — they must go hand in hand.

Discipline gives children skills, but freedom gives them life. The most important thing is that they feel music with their heart and express their happiness authentically.

STP: What personal risks, be it artistic or professional, have you had to take in order to establish yourself in a new cultural and musical landscape?

Mika Nishimura: I never really thought in terms of taking risks. For me, it has always been about following my heart and believing in myself. Of course, people will always judge you — some will criticise, others will appreciate — that is part of life everywhere. But the most important thing is not to focus on the outside voices. The real strength comes from focusing inside, listening to yourself, and staying true to your own path.

STP: In what ways has being a musician and teacher reshaped your own understanding of art?

Mika Nishimura: When I was a child, my teacher once told me that art is like a cake shop — some people like strawberry cake, others prefer chocolate. Only now do I truly understand that meaning. Art is not about trying to please everyone on the outside; it is about focusing inward, believing in yourself, and expressing what is true for you. Teaching has helped me see this more deeply, because every student’s “flavour” is different, and each one is valuable.