Joyce To began coming to me for percussion lessons when she was in high school. From the very beginning, she was always well-prepared, proactive, and eager to take on new and challenging repertoire. Her playing was consistently impressive, and her attitude toward learning was nothing short of inspiring.

Joyce successfully gained entry into the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, where she continued to shine. Her commitment to excellence and her positive learning attitude remained strong throughout her studies. She reached an incredibly high level of performance, culminating in a graduate recital that was truly monumental.

For her final recital at the QLD Con, Joyce organised an orchestra to perform Bird Rhythmics, a marimba concerto by Takashi Yoshimatsu. It was a massive undertaking—and she pulled it off beautifully. The performance was stunning and a testament to her vision and dedication.

After completing her undergraduate studies, Joyce went on to pursue her master’s degree in Canada. Following her graduation, she began working there, continuing to grow as a musician and artist.

I was fortunate enough to collaborate with Joyce again when she returned to Brisbane for a visit. One of our projects was titled Gold Creek—a name that happens to be a direct translation of my hometown “Kanazawa　（金沢）”, and also the name of a reservoir here in Brisbane. Such a lovely coincidence!

Joyce has always been kind to me and my family—like an extended family member. It’s heart-warming to have these videos to look back on, capturing the spirit of our collaboration and the joy of making music together.