The workshop planned for the Senri–Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin in Minoh, Osaka, Japan on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. was something I anticipated with deep emotion. This is the very school where I spent the longest chapter of my teaching career—fifteen formative years that shaped not only my professional life but also the quality of life I cherished during that time. I grew immensely there—not only as a teacher, but as a musician and as a person.

Having been away from the school for sixteen years, I did not know what to expect. My former students had long since moved on—perhaps now raising families of their own, thriving in their chosen professions, or still navigating life as they discover their calling. I returned carrying both curiosity and gratitude, wondering what memories might be stirred and what connections might still remain.

When I visited the school the day before the workshop to assist with preparations, I was warmly welcomed by familiar faces. Seeing colleagues I once worked with immediately filled me with a sense of joy and belonging. Without a doubt, I felt that I was “home.” I spent my prime years at this school—young, searching, growing, and learning what it meant to live with purpose. I did not leave because life there was lacking; rather, I left because the school had prepared me for greater challenges ahead, encouraging me to step into the wider world and continue becoming a better version of myself. Returning felt like a homecoming—one that reminded me of the anchors formed through shared work, relationships, and love. Those connections, I realized, never truly disappear.

The workshop the following day was attended by teachers from various international schools as well as Japanese schools. I was energized by the group’s openness and genuine curiosity about the cultures of the world. What made the day especially exciting was exploring how cultural materials can be used to teach music concepts across different grade levels. It was a joy to work with educators teaching from preschool through high school. We sang, played games, moved, and danced together! It was a full day of sharing and learning—and time flew by far too quickly.

My heartfelt thanks go to Kurt Mecklem, Head of Osaka International School, for taking the lead in organizing the workshop, as well as to the SOIS music faculty, Ayako Nishikawa and Casey Conforzi, for their generous support and invaluable assistance in the preparation of the event. Participants shared how meaningful it was to learn together and to connect with fellow teachers in the region. It is my sincere hope that this group will continue to collaborate and build upon the relationships formed during this inspiring day.