Harris Academy of the Arts offers private music instruction, group classes, and also provides a full line-up of professional musicians and ensembles for weddings and special events. Mai Butler is a piano instructor at Harris Academy of the Arts (www.HarrisAcademyoftheArts.com).

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Receiving my Doctorate degree from the University of Nebraska in Musical Arts was a great achievement for me professionally. The amount of effort to get to that level was tremendous and required a lot of commitment from me to practice and complete all of the work needed to earn my degree. So getting to the end point and being awarded a Doctorate was very gratifying.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I love having a full schedule teaching students, but this can make it difficult to find the time to practice the piano, which is still something all musicians must do at every level to improve and maintain their skills. It can also be hard to find performance opportunities, so I try to look for both professional opportunities and more unconventional places to play such as retirement homes.

Tell us a little about your family. – I was born in Japan and my parents and grandparents still live there. I also have a brother who lives in Philadelphia and is working on his residency to become a medical doctor. I don’t get the chance to get back to Japan very often, so it is really nice to have my brother close to me. I am also married and love living in Lincoln with my husband.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – A huge turning point for me was when I began teaching piano at Harris Academy of the Arts almost three years ago. Being able to work with students, especially children, really helped me to see that my passion was teaching. I truly enjoy sharing my love for playing the piano with my students and inspiring them to have the same appreciation. My career goals have focused on becoming an expert in teaching the piano to young children and I love that working at Harris Academy of the Arts helps me do this.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Practice makes perfect!

If you had a theme song, what would it be? – Toccata in D Major (BWV912) by Johann Sebastian Bach. This song inspires and motivates me to be the best I can at playing the piano.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Interior Decorator

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I really like to play for retirement homes. I love to perform for the residents and bring a little unexpected cheer to their day, especially around the holidays.

What is your favorite local restaurant? – I love eating at Kinja and the Green Gateau.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Pianist Vladimir Horowitz. He was a great inspiration to me and is a superhero in the piano world.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Call Harris Academy of the Arts at (402) 423-4171. You can also stop in to the Academy, which is located just off of 29th and Pine Lake Road, or book lessons directly through our website at www.HarrisAcademyoftheArts.com