JJC Music Professor Earns National Certification

Yukiko Fujimura has become the only professor at Joliet Junior College to earn the Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) credential from the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). The NCTM credential is awarded to music teachers that display competency in five areas that are essential to teaching music.

According to the MTNA, the certification program exists to improve the level of professionalism within the field of music teaching. 

The NCTM credential gives Fujimura credibility as a music teacher and provides her the opportunity for growth.

“I am now very involved with the Illinois state chapter of MTNA as a conference committee member, and I was just nominated to co-chair the state-wide music competition,” said Fujimura. 

Fujimura must renew her certification each year to ensure that she’s involved in professional development, education and leadership opportunities.

Fujimura is a native of Kanagawa, Japan where she began her music career as a toddler. From there she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and her doctorate in piano performance from Ball State University. 

“I come from a musical family. My mother is a pianist as well and my father plays cello. They got me started when I was 3 years old. After that I always knew I wanted to become a musician,” she said. 

Fujimura has taught piano at JJC since 2018 and said she enjoys working with such dedicated students and faculty. 

“Listen to great music often and develop your ears. Practice as much as you can now and develop techniques. Practicing only gets harder once you are out of school,” Fujimura advises her students. 

For media inquiries, contact JJC Communications and Media Coordinator Scott Harvey at 815-280-2844 or sharvey@jjc.edu.