Chiaki Ito appeared on stage for the first time as a lecturer at “avex class” held at Tazuruhama Elementary School in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture on Friday, January 17th, and gave a career education class to 79 4th to 6th grade elementary school students. I did it.
“Avex Class” is a career education program run by Avex Inc. as part of its sustainability activities. Artists, talents, creators, and athletes visit educational institutions across the country and tell children the importance of “the ability to believe in talent and dreams” through their own experiences.
This class was held as part of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake recovery support activities that have been underway since September, and aims to “deliver energy to children who experienced the earthquake through the stories of artists, and teach them the power to believe in dreams and possibilities.” Based on the school’s desire to help children learn the importance of “learning the importance of “, we have realized this in order to provide an opportunity for students to think about their dreams and the things they like.
Ito, who served as a lecturer for the first time, looked back on his childhood, saying, “I was the youngest of three sisters, and my family said I was a little girl who couldn’t do anything.I didn’t particularly like it either.” , said that he wasn’t really interested in singing or dancing at the time.
Regarding auditions, which can be said to be the starting point for Ito, “I saw an advertisement for Avex auditions in a magazine I bought in the summer of my third year of high school, and for some reason I really wanted to take the audition.At first, my parents were against it, but… I believed in my intuition and persevered,” she said, commenting on what led her to audition.
After passing the audition, he expressed his struggles and thoughts at the time, saying, “Compared to the other members, I had less experience in dancing and singing, so I was just trying desperately to keep up with the others.”
In the second half, we had time to think about things we like, things we want to do, and work together with the children, depending on the talk theme.
Regarding the first theme, “How to deal with what you like and what you want to try,” Ito asked the children what they liked, and said, “Even if it can’t be called a dream for the future, it’s something I like or want to try.” I want them to stick to it, and I want them to develop it,” he said, speaking from a child’s perspective about the feeling of “love” based on his own experience.
Regarding the second theme, “How can I turn what I love and want to do into a career?”, “The reason I was able to overcome the difficult lessons I had before my debut was because I had a deep love for singing and dancing. I think it’s because of that feeling that I’m still able to continue my activities,” he said, giving the students an opportunity to think about using what they love as driving force and motivation.
When asked about what is important in giving form to what you like, he says, “Anyway, if you have thoughts or passions, it’s important to say them out loud.If you do that, people around you will support you.” “He will help me,” Ito said. She sent encouragement to the children by mentioning that she had been involved in producing fashion and cosmetics since her group activities.
During the Q&A session at the end of the session, a fifth grade student asked, “What is the most rewarding part of your job?” in a lively atmosphere with about 20 students raising their hands in unison. Ito said, “I place great importance on live performances, both when I was active in a group and now as a solo artist.I believe that connections between people create love, and I would like to thank the fans who support me. “Thanks to her, I feel that many of my dreams have come true,” she said, conveying a persuasive message to the children based on her experience of valuing connections with people.
At the end, she said, “I was very happy that you listened to me seriously and asked me questions actively.This is just a story based on my experience, but I would like you to share with me what you like.” I want you to find it, and I want you to say it out loud.” It was a time when I was able to share my various experiences with the children and think about how to approach the things I like and work together.
[Event overview]
・Official name: “avex class” (pronunciation: avex class)
・Date and time: January 17, 2025 (Friday) 13:40-14:40
・Location: Tazuruhama Elementary School, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture (365 Hobe, Tazuruhama-cho, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture)
・Speakers: Chiaki Ito, Yurika Tachibana (moderator)
・Number of participants: 79 people (4th-6th graders, parents)
[About “avex class”]
A career education program in which artists, talents, creators, and athletes visit educational institutions across the country to convey to children the importance of “the ability to believe in talent and dreams” through their own experiences. Participating members are Chiaki Ito, Kumi Koda, Daimaou Furusaka, SAM (TRF), Ami Suzuki, Risako Tanabe, Yu Tamura, and DJ KOO (TRF) (in alphabetical order).
*About avex class
https://avex.com/jp/ja/sustainability/news/avexclass2022entry
[Past reconstruction support activities]
・Fundraising activities
Conducted at live venues of artists belonging to our group, event venues held by our group (excluding some performances), Avex Artist Academy, offices of our group, etc.
・Career education program “avex class”
Held on September 27th (Friday) at Shihoku Junior High School in Imizu City, Toyama Prefecture (for details)here)
11/27 Held at Nakajima Elementary School, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture (for detailshere)
12/16 Held at Asahi Elementary School, Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture (for details)here)
・Performance by “Nanao City Hatachi no Tsudoi” DJ KOO (TRF)
Held on Sunday, October 13th in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture (for detailshere)
[About Avex and SDGs]
Avex Class is an initiative that contributes to SDGs Goal 4 (education), 8 (decent work and economic growth), and 17 (partnership). In addition, we are implementing many social actions based on our sustainability policy of “contributing to future talent and unknown excitement.”
*About SDGs
https://avex.com/jp/ja/sustainability/management/about-sdgs
*About the video “Teach me Mr. Dai Furusaka” introducing Avex’s sustainability and SDGs
https://avex.com/jp/ja/sustainability/news/202306sustainabilitymovies
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