Award-winning pianist to perform at Union Sunday

Rachel Dorroh • November 8, 2023

Award-winning pianist and Union College Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Yukiko Fujimura will perform this Sunday in Union’s Conway Boatman Chapel at 3 p.m. The performance is part of an annual concert series sponsored by the Fine Arts Association of Southeastern Kentucky and will feature a mix of composers.

 

“I'm very excited about one of the pieces, which is going to be a world premiere,” says Fujimura.

 

Dr. Matthew Herman, associate professor of music at Western Kentucky University, wrote “Sheltowee Sonata” especially for Fujimura to perform at this concert. Each of the composition’s three movements is based on a different Appalachian folksong, and Herman will be at the concert to speak about the new work.

Dr. Yukiko Fujimura.

In addition to Herman’s work, Fujimura will perform pieces by Erik Satie, Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, and Ryuichi Sakamoto.


Fujimura regularly performs solo and chamber music, as well as concerti with orchestra, and has received numerous awards and honors for her excellence. She has been named prize winner of the Stanislaw Moniuszko International Competition of Slavic Music, the Yokosuka International Piano Competition, the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Performance competition in Wisconsin, the Schubert Club Competition, the Ball State University Graduate Concerto Competition, and the Slavic Music Competition for Piano and Orchestra.


In addition to her accolades as a performer, Fujimura’s innovative contributions to the field of music education have gained increasing recognition. 

“My teaching focuses on expressing through music, which is kind of a gray area that's very hard to teach,” she explains.


“So, I looked into other disciplines, including child behavioral therapy, and started using visual tools to get them to really focus on the emotional side of music.”


In October, Fujimura presented on this topic in Santiago, Chile at the XIV Latin American and VI Pan American Regional Conference of the International Society for Music Education. Her presentation “Let Them Tell a Story: Tools for Self-expression Through Music,” featured details of her collaboration with Japanese illustrator Tetsu Goto. She worked with Goto to create a set of musical emotions flashcards which will be available to music educators in the future, production pending.


“Every child can express through music,” Fujimura says. “They just need help.”

 

Fujimura has been a member of the Kentucky Music Teachers Association (KMTA) for three years and currently serves as the organization’s vice-president/president-elect. She teaches applied piano, introduction to music, and elementary school music at Union.

 

Sunday’s concert is part of the Fine Arts Association of Southeastern Kentucky, Inc.’s mission to promote and encourage the fine arts throughout Southeastern Kentucky.


Tickets are available at the door for $10. However, students, staff, and faculty of both Union College and University of the Cumberlands get in free with college i.d., as both institutions are sponsors.

 

To learn more about the Fine Arts Association of Southeastern Kentucky, see fineartsseky.org. To purchase season tickets for the concert series, see fineartsseky.org/tickets.


By Maisie Nelson June 4, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to share several exciting updates as work gets underway on key campus improvement projects this summer. These initiatives, made possible through successful fundraising efforts, reflect Union’s commitment to creating a welcoming, well-maintained environment for students, visitors, and the broader community.
By Maisie Nelson June 4, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of seniors from Bell County High School who have committed to continue their academic journeys at Union. Together, these students have been awarded over $190,000 in scholarships, recognizing both academic excellence and athletic talent.
By Maisie Nelson June 2, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is inviting school-aged children to enjoy free swim days every Saturday in June, beginning June 7 at the Center for Health & Learning’s Stivers Aquatic Center. These open swim opportunities are a way to give back to the community and celebrate the start of summer with local families.
Miller standing beside the sign for Conway Boatman Chapel.
By Rachel Dorroh May 30, 2025
After 21 years as the chaplain of Union Commonwealth University (UCU), the Rev. David Miller is retiring this month. Since his first ministerial appointment in 1984, he has served as the pastor of several Kentucky congregations, has taken on leadership roles in multiple Kentucky organizations, and has led countless campus programs and groups dedicated to student development. He says supporting students to find their personal calling, however, has been the highlight of his career.
By Maisie Nelson May 27, 2025
Union Commonwealth University proudly announces the next ten distinguished alumni honored as part of the university’s inaugural “50 Under 50” recognition program. Celebrating alumni who are making an impact before the age of 50, the program continues to highlight exceptional leaders across diverse industries — from public service and business innovation to healthcare, marketing, education, and law.
Leadership Tri-County class of 2025 with Andra Butler and Tori Doyle standing at the far right end.
By David Saylor May 22, 2025
Leadership is about more than a title, it's a commitment to personal growth, professional excellence, and something greater than yourself. For many, this may mean embracing new challenges or simply striving to make a meaningful impact. At Union Commonwealth University, however, leadership also means investing in the potential of others by creating opportunities for growth, mentorship, and collaboration at every level.
Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick holding a mounted camera.
By David Saylor May 21, 2025
As Union Commonwealth University (UCU) sends off its new 2025 class of graduates, another farewell is underway. After 40 years of teaching, researching, and mentoring — 31 of them at Union — Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick, Professor of Communication, will retire this May. During her time at UCU, Marley-Frederick has had a profound influence on the Union community. She led the communication program through years of growth and change, served a decade as a department chair, became a faculty trustee, produced ten years of yearbooks, won several teaching awards, and even ran a coffee shop in the basement of Centennial.
photo shows coaches painting in the athletic complex
By Maisie Nelson May 19, 2025
Although student-athletes may be away for the summer, Union Commonwealth University’s athletic staff is staying busy—committed to building stronger programs both on and off the field.
By Maisie Nelson May 7, 2025
In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Union Commonwealth University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions provided 120 meal vouchers to teachers at Knox Central High School on Wednesday, May 7. The vouchers were redeemable at The Grub Hut food truck, which was set up on-site as a special thank-you to educators for their dedication and impact.
Students studying in Union's library.
By Rachel Dorroh May 6, 2025
The pre-professional program at Union Commonwealth University (UCU) is growing. New partnerships with Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) and the University of Kentucky (UK) create clear pathways and unique advantages for students wishing to pursue osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, and engineering.
More Posts