Double Reeds Instructor – Michinobu “Mitch” Iimori
Born and raised in Kanagawa Pref. Japan. Bachelor of Music (oboe performances) from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY in 1993. Multi instrumentalist (over 50 instruments and 20 styles), multi-lingual (10 languages), surrealist painter, woodwind repair technician, novice tap dancer, knitter, cook.
Curently adjunct professor of Willamette University (oboe), Lewis & Clark College (oboe, banjo, mandolin, ukulele), University of Portland (oboe,), George Fox University (oboe, bassoon, banjo, mandolin), Corban College (oboe). Also teaches oboe, flute, clarinet, guitar, balalaika, uklele, saxophone and banjo at Multnomah Arts Center.
Principal oboe with Salem Chamber Orchestra & Washington Chamber Orchestra. Has performed with Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Third Angle, Columbia Symphony Orchestra and Portland Taiko. Frequently appear as a soloist with Willamette Master Chorus and other local groups. As a session musician, appears with some local song writers at local live houses such as Mississippi Studio. As a studio musician, recorded many local productions, particularly some works with performer/composer/producer, Cal Scott. One of them is the theme music of “Oregon Experience” (flute, clarinet, oboe) on OPB that is heard daily on OPB. Currently working on a movie sound track with Cal.
Also appeared in many local musical productions, ”Hello! Dolly” ”Ragtime” ”Where is Charlie?” (Lakewood Theatre) ”The Case of a Dead Flamingo Dancer” “No Way to Treat a Lady” (Broadway Rose) to name a few as woodwind/banjo/mandolin player. The most recent appearance in a musical was “The Secret Garden” (oboe, english horn) with Katie Harman (Miss USA 2002), “Throughly Modern Millie” (oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor sax, banjo), “A Chorusline” (oboe, english horn, clarinet, tenor sax, bassoon). As an extra musician for church services, appeared at Oak Hills Presbytarian Church (millwaukie), Our Saviors Lutheran Church (Lake Oswego), Community of Hope Church (Willsonville), Beaverton Christian Church (Beaverton), St. Pauls Episcopal Church (Salem), First Methodist Church (Salem), Westminster Church (Salem). Appeared nationally on CBS on their Christmas music program, “Received the Gift” filmed at First Presbytarian Church in Salem.
Outside of music, the Japanese version of recorded ODOT driver’s test is his voice. He can complete all 6 sides of a Rubic’s Cube in 2min.
