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Violinist Yuki Numata Resnick on Music as a Tool for Change and Finding Purpose Beyond the Applause
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Violinist, educator, and nonprofit leader Yuki Numata Resnick has spent her life exploring the transformative power of music—not only as an artist, but as a changemaker. Originally from Vancouver, Yuki has performed on some of the world’s most iconic stages, from the Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall, and has recorded with artists including The National, Arcade Fire, Lisa Hannigan, and Taylor Swift.
But it’s her work offstage that tells an even deeper story. As co-founder and former Executive Director of Buffalo String Works, Yuki helped build a music program that now serves over 150 refugee, immigrant, and historically marginalized youth—demonstrating how music can become both a source of belonging and a catalyst for social change.
Today, as the Director of Arts and Culture at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, she is leading a historic $100 million initiative to secure the future of Western New York’s arts and culture sector and most importantly, finding ways to get funding into the hand of the deepest community organizers and challenging pre-conceptions about where wealth.
In this conversation, Yuki shares her reflections on discovering her why, leadership challenges, career pivots, and the quiet courage it takes to step into the unknown.
Chapters:
- 01:17 Meet Yuki Numata Resnick: Violinist and Visionary
- 02:45 Navigating Career Shifts and Personal Growth
- 03:07 Sponsor Highlight: Plant Gem
- 03:55 Yuki's Early Years and Musical Journey
- 05:26 Challenges and Triumphs in Music Education
- 15:09 The Birth of Buffalo String Works
- 20:18 Building a Community Through Music
- 23:38 Inspiration Behind Buffalo String Works
- 27:12 Launching and Growing the Nonprofit
- 28:02 Growth and Learning in Buffalo String Works
- 29:00 Taking on Leadership and Challenges
- 34:34 Balancing Personal and Professional Life
- 41:50 Transition to Philanthropy
- 45:57 Reflections and Future Aspirations
- 49:57 Closing Thoughts and Resources
Links:
Arts and Culture at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
Ashley Links:
Finding The Current Within Retreat: https://peggymarkel.com/adventures/finding-the-current-within/
Ashley Wick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywick
The Ingenius Life Workshop: https://www.ingenius.life
Take The Leap Course: https://www.taketheleapwomen.com/
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Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary Jobe
This podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code IMAGINE.
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