About Me
Cana Kashima is known for her sharp intuition and creative approach in both performing and teaching. An active performer and pedagogue, she began studying piano at the age of 6 under Akiko Hasunuma. At the collegiate level, she continued her studies under Manami Kawamura at Pasadena City College, where she received two Associate of Arts Degrees in Music and Humanities. A recipient of two Robert and Adrienne Westerbeck Scholarships, she has performed recitals in Westerbeck Recital Hall and was featured in a masterclass with Alan Chow. In addition, Cana’s piano quartet was awarded Grand Prize in the Fullerton College Piano Ensemble Competition.
Cana received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance Degree from the University of California, Irvine, studying under Dr. Lorna Griffitt. She was a recipient of the UCI Claire Trevor School for the Arts Robert and Marjorie Rawlins Scholarship and the Dean’s Scholarship. While at UCI, she performed in a masterclass with Patricia Cloud for a chamber project. In addition, Cana attended the Orfeo International Music Festival in Vipiteno, Italy where she studied with Dena Kay Jones, Maria Razumovskaya, and Irina Krivonos.
Currently, Cana is pursuing the Master of Arts in Piano Pedagogy Degree at the Cal State Fullerton-School of Music, where she studies with Alison Edwards; in addition, Cana is pursuing a post-baccalaureate certificate in Performance Science for Musicians with Dr. Robert Watson. As a researcher and author in the context of her graduate studies, Cana created a presentation on self-care performance and audition preparation; she currently is conducting her research in how to effectively teach body mapping to children. Most recently, she performed in a masterclass with Kathleen Riley, won the MIMA Young Artist Piano Solo Competition, and was invited to attend the Vancouver Piano Sessions Festival.
Ms. Kashima loves sharing her joy of music with others through teaching. A member of the Music Teachers National Association and having a wide range of levels and ages in her studio, she prepares her students for recitals, the MTAC Certificate of Merit program, RCM, and various competitions. Cana also gives assistance with translating for the Piano Teachers Musical Guild in Japan. At all levels of development at the piano, she loves helping students to make new discoveries, to grow in their artistry and to reach their goals.