From 2010-17, Masa taught First Study pianists at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, at the forefront of training the next generation of pianists. In addition to this, he also gave regular solo recitals and masterclasses at the Chetham’s International Summer School and Festival for Pianists. He has been a Visiting Professor at the Elmitt Piano Academy in Bedfordshire since 2007, giving recitals, and leading workshops and masterclasses, and is also a registered adjudicator with EPTA UK. He has been invited to adjudicate many festivals and competitions, including EPTA Piano Competitions, the John Ireland Competition at the London College of Music, and Cambridge Piano Weekend organised by fellow PTC Principal Tutor, Ilga Pitkevica.
Teaching ‘from the stage’, Masa’s vast performance experience constantly feeds into his tuition as an essential component and constitutes a large part of his identity. He has run a thriving teaching practice in North London since 1997 and has, over the years, taught hundreds of pianists of all ages and stages, from complete beginners to flourishing professionals. Among his pupils are scholarship award holders, festival and competition prize-winners, Diploma students, and University and Conservatoire students. His students have received the highest marks in the country for their Grade 8 exams on a number of occasions, often competing and garnering success in national and international competitions, including the EPTA Piano Competition and BBC Young Musician, and many going on to build successful performing and teaching careers. Masa’s teaching incorporates the method taught by Sumiko Mikimoto on muscle relaxation and training for pianists, guiding students to become aware of their bodies whilst playing and avoid unnecessary tension and resultant pain or discomfort.
He was appointed as a Principal Tutor on The Piano Teachers' Course UK in 2018, the country's leading professional development course for piano pedagogy, and will be taking on the Directorship of the course in 2020.
