Yasuharu Takahagi

Yasuharu Takahagi has been an ISME member since 1963 and has served the Society in many capacities. He has attended each international meeting over the past thirty years, has presented papers at several conferences and has been responsible for the presentations of many of his Japanese colleagues and performers.

Professor Takahagi was educated in Japan and United States of America. .  He earned Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts degrees from the Teachers' College of Columbia University.  He has been a music specialist in Japanese public and private schools, Associate Professor at Musashino Academia Musicae and then at the Tokyo Gakugei University from 1971 to 1992.  He was selected twice by the Fulbright Programme, first in the Exchange Teacher Program at Ball State University and then as a Fulbright Exchange Research Scholar at Northwestern University.

Yasuharu Takahagi has been recognized by his peers in his own country as an innovative teacher and scholar interested in bringing to his colleagues a knowledge of various educational innovations and methodologies from around the world.  His extensive list of publication include both professional journal articles and books, several of which he has translated into Japanese. He is identified as an authority on the use of technology in education and has been appointed a director of his country's Centre for Educational Technology.  His other leadership positions have included, but are not limited to, President of the Japanese National Council of the Center of Educational Technology, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Japanese Society for Music Education from 1977-1988, and most recently President of the Japan Academic Society for Music Education from 1988-1992.  Recently he became a professor Emeritus of Tokyo Gakugei University, and is now in constant demand as a guest professor, visiting lecturer and ajudicator throughout his country and Asia as well as currently being a professor at Nipon University.

Professor Takahagi is known and respected around the world.  He has been an accommodating host, guide and translator for scores of foreign visitors to his country, always going out of his way to honor their requests and provide them with a realistic view of music and music education in Japan.  During his term as ISME President, his dedication, commitment and perseverance to the highest ideals of music education and international cooperation and understanding is a model for all of us. Yasuharu Takahagi is the epitome of what ISME is and we are fortunate to have him as a friend and Honorary Life Member.