Ever thought of learning nutritious recipes along with music? That’s what’s interesting about Japanese violinist Mika Nishimura’s approach to music education. Nishimura, who has been living in India for 10 years now and is the founder of Sound of Soul group music classes in Mumbai, observed that, whether the students at her academy came from wealthy or humble homes, many couldn’t stand still for even an hour.
“I was often the only one still standing by the end of a session,” she says. “I saw hunched backs, low stamina and a lack of physical strength. Generations have shifted from playing outdoors to living more sedentary lives. Without proper nutrition and movement, children simply don’t have the energy to stay engaged, create or even dream big.”
That’s when it became clear to her that, “nutrition fuels movement, movement builds strength, and strength gives you the power to focus. Without that foundation, leadership and creativity are much harder to nurture.”
With this core thought as an anchor, she developed her practice to focus on holistic development of children, beyond music. She teamed up with Katheryn Murillo, a social-impact leader from the Real Madrid Foundation, to co-create Elevate, a music and dance performance camp, where nutrition, movement and strength go hand-in-hand.
Nishimura’s focus was on creating inclusive safe spaces that are nonjudgemental and accelerate the learning process. The latest week-long experience took place in Mumbai this month, providing a unique opportunity for 140 students from diverse backgrounds to learn in an inclusive setup, culminating in a performance at NCPA, Mumbai.
Nishimura invited a multidisciplinary panel of mentors from across the world like conductor Santiago Ozlate from Cyprus and wellness educator and athlete Guillermo Díaz from Real Madrid Foundation, Spain. “When selecting our team of experts, I looked for people who are not only highly skilled in music, movement, nutrition or leadership, but who can truly connect with children. The right mentor inspires, listens, adapts, and sees the potential in every child they meet,” she says.
They even invited a chef from a well-known restaurant to do a healthy snack demonstration for the children – encouraging them to try recipes at home and spread awareness to their families and the wider community.
Clockwise from top left: Conductor Santiago Ozlate from Cyprus, athlete Guillermo Díaz of Read Madrid Spain, young leader Inaya Merchant from Sound of Soul; Katheryn Murillo of Real Madrid Foundation
“And then there’s music,” says Nishimura. “In India, it’s already in the blood. Every festival, every prayer, every gathering is filled with it. By weaving together music, movement, nutrition and leadership, we’re not just teaching skills; we’re sparking connections, empowering young people, and planting the seeds for a new kind of leader – one who is strong in body, mind and heart.”
All through Nishimura’s own childhood, the violin was her truest form of expression, helping her speak when words could not. Though her musical journey opened doors, she often felt constrained by expectations to imitate others, leaving a sense of incompleteness. “Looking back now, I understand: I wasn’t being allowed to be myself,” she shares.
She began travelling at the age of 17 with her violin, and met people from different walks of life. “I was focused on fighting for my place, gaining as much as I could and constantly comparing myself to others — without really asking, what do I truly want?”
But something shifted after she moved to India. She gained “distance from Western culture”, got the time and space to reconsider, rethink and ask herself what she truly wanted out of life. “That moment changed everything. Once I was honest with myself, opportunities began to open up naturally, and the right people started to gather around me.”
Mika Nishimura’s lessons at Sound of Soul bring in holistic development along with music
With hindsight, she recognised the value of individuality and embraced the diverse paths that had shaped her. One of her most influential mentors was her teacher, Mimi Zweig from the Jacobs School of Music, who showed Nishimura the power of creating a nonjudgemental environment for learning.
“That was a wake-up call for me. Growing up in the Western classical world, I was used to being judged in many ways. But Mimi taught me that children bloom beautifully when they feel safe, respected and free to be themselves.”
Another turning point came when Nishimura joined the Academy for Impact Through Music (AIM). AIM introduced her to the concept of student-led learning and truly listening to children’s voices.
“I had grown up in a teacher-led environment, but watching children take the lead – solving problems, helping each other, working in pairs and growing together – completely changed my perspective on education,” she shares.
Today, she says, she channelises the lessons of her youth into guiding young people to express themselves freely, encouraging them to play, sing and move with their own authentic voices rather than conform to imposed moulds. ”When you trust children, give them space, and believe in them, they will rise higher than you ever imagined,” she says.
Mika Nishimura has been living and teaching in India for 10 years
The journey has also meant unlearning things she took for granted in the past. “I carried my own filters,” she admits, “I used to think that kids from humble backgrounds work harder because they have more fire. But over time, my students taught me something powerful: every child needs the same love, trust and opportunity. When they receive that, they all shine – no matter where they come from.”
Nishimura’s friends often joke that she is more Indian than Japanese, “and maybe they’re right!” she jokes, adding that her Japanese roots have inculcated in her a love for precision and attention to detail “… sometimes so much that it irritates my students – and we laugh about it together!”
At the same time, she says, she has fallen in love with the energy of Indian children and their ability to ask questions freely. “They aren’t shy to say, ‘I don’t understand, please explain again,’ and they bring so much curiosity into the room. That kind of openness wasn’t common in Japan when I was growing up, and it’s something I deeply admire here.”
She adds that, over the years, she may have absorbed some of that energy herself: “Maybe I really am half-Indian now! This mix of Japanese discipline and Indian vibrancy is what shapes every learning experience I create – structured, yet full of life and joy.”
One of the most important lessons Nishimura has learnt is “to accept who you are and know that you are already perfect as you are. That feeling of safety and security in yourself opens the door to truly connecting and communicating with others.”
Another lesson she has learnt is to trust and respect others and to honour differences. “Sometimes, even with someone you love, you might think, ‘This is good for them’. But every human being is different. Your ‘love shape’ might be a circle, and theirs might be a triangle. We have to try to understand one another and sometimes find a third shape – an even better idea that comes from meeting in the middle,” she says.
Nishimura’s students performing at Tata Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai this month
This level of understanding, acceptance and teamwork also at the heart of how she approaches music and teaching. This month’s Elevate camp sometimes felt like the team was “running on 130 trillion units of energy! We were drenched in sweat, shouting, laughing, dancing, and expressing ourselves. It was pure joy!” she narrates.
And on the final day, when the children stepped onto the Tata Theatre stage, they experienced a moment that would stay with them forever, she says – a moment where their hearts were wide open, their confidence was glowing, and they could feel the strength of their bodies and voices like never before.
“I want each child to leave knowing: I can. I have full potential. I can open my voice. And I am already perfect exactly as I am.”
Palak Malik is a digital and communication specialist, recognised as a LinkedIn Top Video Production Voice for her expertise in video production.
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