Akiko Sampson
Akiko has been teaching voice and introductory piano for five years. With 25 years of performance and recording experience, Akiko naturally came into mentorship role amongst peer musicians, fell in love with the teaching of music, and began offering lessons to all ages in 2019. 
Akiko started playing music when they were three years old, crawling up the piano bench. After 7 years of classical piano training and a few years of choir, Akiko switched to synths and bass, and began singing and playing in bands as a teenager. Over the years, Akiko honed vocal skills through extensive performance and recording experience, and now offers to vocal students a range of training methods and techniques that help them develop their own vocal style and step into their power as a performer. On piano, Akiko holds an unbridled enthusiasm for the first few years of piano and music theory. From a synthesis and keys perspective, Akiko believes there is no such thing as “too simple” – with just three notes, you can play concert venues and even stadiums!
Akiko’s teaching philosophy is that everyone can sing, and everyone can play an instrument. Akiko is here to guide you and offer support as you embark on a path of self-discovery and develop talents that are unique to you. Akiko’s vocal teaching involves full body mindfulness and is movement-based – we will use our whole bodies to produce sound!
Akiko has toured the US, Europe, Mexico, UK, and Japan, and has released music on international labels and production houses including MTV Films, Kill Rock Stars, GSL, and Artoffact, Bay Area independents Ratskin Records and Psychic Eye, and owns and operates Psychic Eye Records. Their most recent recordings are with the bands Yama Uba and Ötzi (https://yamauba.bandcamp.com/
Alive or Dead, What Musician would you do anything to see?
Grace Jones or Sinead O’Connor
Greatest Musical Influence?
Is it possible to have just one?! Topping the list is The Cure, Tina Turner, Prince, Nina Simone, Grace Jones, and Poly Styrene from X-Ray Spex.
Any hidden talents besides music?
I enjoy photography/videography, and I’ve directed a lot of music videos and photo shoots for other musicians. I also like to sew and make DIY fashions.
What did you want to be while you were growing up?
I’ve always only wanted to be a musician. But sometimes I told adults I wanted to be a doctor, because they seemed to like hearing that. Both are healing arts – I chose the one that’s more fun for me.
If you could have any ‘Super Power’, which one would it be?
I would control the weather, like Storm from the X-Men. Weather feels like the only thing we have no control over!
If you could master any other instrument which would it be?
I love taiko drums and dabble in them, but to really master something, I would pick cello. I’ve always admired the sound.
Have you had what people would consider your “15 Minutes of Fame”, and if so when/what was that?
Maybe? I have played in bands and toured a lot, and am still touring around the world. Some show audiences have been very large and many have been very small. I always like to think my 15 minutes is still coming!
It’s your last meal: What would it be?
Korean BBQ! I want a bite of every possible flavor.
You are sent to a deserted island, and you only have one album to listen to: Which is it?
I’d go for a Nina Simone Best Of album.
If you could leave one lesson with your students what would it be?
Music is your own individual journey, arising from your discipline, your creativity, and sourced from your spirit. Never let anything discourage or distract you from the path that is true to you.
