Kosuke Okamura is a professional percussionist performing and teaching in the bay area. His musicality ranges from classical percussion, Latin percussion, and drum set. He graduated from San Jose State University with a Master of Music in Jazz Studies, Bachelor of Music in Music Education, as well as California K-12 Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music.

As an educator, Okamura has enjoyed teaching music in California for the last 13 years. Currently a part-time member of the Applied Music Faculty at West Valley College, where Okamura provides applied drum set lessons for students majoring in music. He is also the full-time band director at Cabrillo Middle School in Santa Clara, where he teaches Concert Band, String Orchestra, and Jazz Band. Many of his students have gone on to continue their learning endeavors at colleges and universities and have, in turn, become professional musicians and educators. Okamura’s strengths lie in his ability to motivate students, adapt to their individual needs, and develop strategies to provide them with the best possible music education.

In conjunction with teaching, Okamura is a performing musician as well. It is Okamura’s privilege to have shared the stage with many talented bands and artists for whom he has great respect including Keith Urban, Robby Krieger, Brenton Wood, Tony Lindsay, Paul De Lisle, Tom E. Politzer, The Slackers, Myron Dove, The Selecter, Trevor Hall, and Sashamon. Okamura also actively participates in the Bay Area music scene by regularly performing at local events and festivals such as Golden State Warriors games, San Jose Music in the Park, Los Gatos Music in the Park, Gilroy Garlic Festival, Santa Cruz Music Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, Big Sur International Marathon, San Jose Rock N’ Roll Marathon and numerous others.

Okamura currently tours and performs full time with one of the most popular original bands in the SF Bay Area, Sweet HayaH.