Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library, Yamaha Music School celebrated its 70th anniversary with a memorable ceremony held at Qatar National Library on November 18, 2024. Hosted by Fifty One East, Qatar’s favourite department store, and Yamaha Music School Doha, the event welcomed notable figures including Ms. Maki Yamaguchi, Counselor at the Japanese Embassy in Qatar; Mr. Jin Sakamoto, Managing Director of Yamaha Music Gulf FZE; Mr. Yasuaki Inomoto, Manager of Music School Business Planning Group – Yamaha Corporation; and Mr. Bader Al-Darwish, Chairman and Managing Director of Fifty One East, along with students, their families, and teachers from Yamaha Music School Doha.
Emphasizing the choice of Doha for this global celebration, Mr. Jin Sakamoto stated, “This event in Qatar not only commemorates Yamaha Music School’s 70-year legacy but also acknowledges Yamaha Music School Doha as a leading institution within the GCC. This school exemplifies our philosophy of spreading the joy of music and nurturing natural talent. Thanks to Fifty One East’s dedicated partnership, Yamaha Music School Doha has become a beacon for music education in the region, reflecting our shared vision of promoting musical education and cultural enrichment.”
Reflecting on the significance of Yamaha Music School Doha and the privilege of hosting this landmark event in Qatar, Mr. Bader Al-Darwish added, “At Fifty One East, we are honored to celebrate this incredible milestone with Yamaha Music School, an institution that shares our passion for enriching communities through music and the arts. Over the past 30 years, our collaboration with Yamaha has nurtured a thriving music scene here in Qatar, culminating in the recognition of Fifty One East as the ‘Best Yamaha Music School Operator in the Middle East and Africa’. We believe in fostering creativity that inspires people and we’re committed to this mission throughout our remarkable journey.”
Since its founding in 1954, Yamaha Music School has grown into a global institution with over 750,000 students and 20,000 teachers in 6,400 locations worldwide. The school has cultivated countless musical talents, with alumni who have gone on to become award-winning musicians, composers, and performers, thus reinforcing Yamaha’s commitment to spreading the joy of music globally.
The anniversary event began with the National Anthem of Qatar, performed by acclaimed pianist Hala Alemadi and then the National Anthem of Japan, performed by Tomoki Kirita. Following welcome remarks, select students from Yamaha Music School Doha – Julien Torfeh, Santiago Banales, Vadim Morin and Valentina Rami – showcased their talents, along with performances by school instructors Cynthia Bousnadiego, Emanuel Travios, Gabriel Martinez, Germán Faig, and Oidel Cruz. The event concluded with a moving Brass Quintet performance by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, which resonated with the audience and highlighted the cultural richness of the occasion.
The multiple recognitions of Yamaha Music School Doha are a testament to the commitment and excellence embodied by Fifty One East. Since its establishment in 2013, the Doha branch has expanded its curriculum from group classes to personalized music courses, further establishing itself as the leading music school in the region. Today, Yamaha Music School Doha has become a vibrant part of Qatar’s cultural landscape, offering a platform for both aspiring musicians and experienced teachers to foster a community connected through music.
As one of the longest-standing Yamaha partners in the Gulf region, Fifty One East has played a pivotal role in enhancing Qatar’s arts and culture scene. Its dedication to promoting music education and facilitating high-quality cultural events has helped position Doha as a regional center for artistic excellence and cross-cultural exchange.