Meet Shoko Nagami 🎵
- bcemarketing
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Inspiring Young Musicians with Heart, Humor, and High Energy
This profile is a part of a series exploring the impact of the BCE annual grant, and the educators and programs it supports in Burlingame Public Schools.
During a weekend of festival performances filled with late buses, tricky stage logistics, and no dress rehearsals, Burlingame Intermediate School’s Trojan Band students still managed to deliver something extraordinary. “Your playing was absolutely stunning,” wrote BIS Band Teacher Shoko Nagami in a message to her students. “You should all be extremely proud of yourselves.”
That sense of pride, celebration, and genuine admiration for her students runs through everything Nagami does. Whether it’s guiding sixth graders through their first band class or leading the Symphonic Band to a standout performance of Arabesque, Nagami’s goal is always the same. She works to create a space where young musicians can grow, connect, and shine.
As one of six dedicated music educators in Burlingame schools, Nagami has been inspiring students at BIS since she arrived—somewhat unexpectedly. “I had no idea where Burlingame was when I applied,” she admits with a laugh. “But once I met the kids, I knew I wanted to stay.”
Nagami's own musical journey started just like many of her students’. After third grade, she picked up the flute over summer break. That love of music led her to earn a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Performance Honors in Saxophone from Syracuse University, followed by a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from San Jose State University. However, her calling to teach began even earlier, in a taekwondo studio back in high school. “I loved working with the young white belts and it was an amazing experience to watch them grow and develop as students. That’s when I truly knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life teaching as my career,” she told us.
Nagami knows that Burlingame is a unique place to teach. “The community has always been so kind and welcoming,” she said. “They really support music, and I knew right away I wanted to stay.” That enthusiasm shines through in her classroom. One of her favorite memories is from her first trimester at BIS, when a sixth grader told her he also wanted to be a band teacher someday, because she made it look so fun. “I felt so honored. That’s what I hope for: to make music class a place where students are excited to learn and grow.”
Thank you for giving our kiddos the opportunity to become well-rounded individuals. Without BCE, I wouldn’t have had the chance to work with such an amazing community. -Nagami
For Nagami, music education isn’t just about scales and rhythms. It’s also about learning how to listen, collaborate, and lift each other up. “When we play in an ensemble, we have to learn to line everything up to create harmony. We have to understand each other’s parts. Sometimes you have the melody and need to play out, and sometimes your job is to quiet down and support someone else. My goal is for students to take those lessons into life. I want them to find their voice and also make space for others to be heard.”
When she’s not teaching, you’ll likely find Nagami hanging out with her cat and scrolling through memes… relaxing and well-deserved ways to unwind!
How You Can Help Support Music Education in Burlingame Public Schools
In order to maintain the current level of support for music education in our schools, BCE will need to raise more than $970,000 next year to keep up with rising costs. BCE relies on generous support from parents, businesses and community members to meet its grant goals. Donations to BCE provide our schools with funding for enhancing the educational experience for every child in Burlingame. If you haven’t given yet this year, our suggested donation amount is $2,000 per student, but every dollar makes a difference. Consider joining our Scholars Circle by making a donation of $4,000 or more.
