Name: Michael M. Masuda
Birthdate: January 26, 1967
Sign: Aquarius
Birthstone: Garnet
Chinese Sign: Horse
Spirituality: Buddhist
What does my symbol represent?
Well...long story short... Originally I used to initial documents with three Ms (MMM), but that got old fast. Then, in high school, my physics teacher (Mr. Ray Rogoway at Independence High School) gave me an idea--he initialed his documents with an "R squared". So I started using the "M cubed" initial on everything. Well, later on, in college, I came across a book of symbols. It turns out that Aquarians like me fall under the "air" category, so I found a symbol that represented air in alchemy. This is where the triangle with the hooked line comes from. The "M" became shaped like the traditional Aquarius symbol, and voila, the whole thing just fused together into the symbol above.
My Basic Background
My name is Michael M. Masuda. I received my MS degree in physics at San Jose State University on May 24, 1997. I was the president of the SJSU Physics Club--the first president in the history of the club to serve two consecutive years in office.
This is a picture of me at Yosemite National Park, near Bridal Veil Falls. In my hand, you see a styrofoam head with electret microphones for ears. The head (named "Babe") is used to record ambient sounds in binaural stereo (which means the recordings sound like you are really there). It is a crude reproduction of the human head, I know, but it was a lot cheaper than springing a few thousand dollar bills for a real binaural recording setup. It's good enough for fieldwork and for jam sessions, IMHO.
As you may have guessed, I am also a musician. I currently play cajon, folk flute and bass for a band called Silk Road. I have a little studio setup in my home, which I have graced the name Northern Snow Studios. It's just my bedroom, but I figure it's better than a lot of home studios. I am also a sound engineer (since 1985) and am currently composing tunes that fit somewhere between Peter Gabriel, Cat Stevens, flamenco, Indian rag, the Byrds, and the Beatles--style-wise. I figure I should write music that fits my personality.
Abridged Curriculum Vitae
 |
1984--Graduated from Independence High School with 3.86 GPA. |
|
|
1985--Elected president of Alpha Lamba Delta at SJSU. |
|
|
1991--Graduated with Great Distinction from San Jose State University with a BS in Condensed Matter Physics and a BS in Lasers and Optics with a 3.52 GPA. |
|
|
1991--Accepted into Physics Masters program at SJSU. |
|
|
1991--began teaching labs at SJSU (phys 1, 2A, 2B, 50, 51, 60, 70, 71 labs) |
|
|
1995--College of Science Outstanding Student Award. |
|
|
1995--Elected President of SJSU Physics Club. |
|
|
1996--Reelected President of SJSU Physics Club. |
|
|
1997--Graduated with MS in Physics with 3.55 GPA. |
|
|
1997--Started employment as part-time physics professor at Evergreen Valley College (phys 1, 2A, 2B, 4A lectures and labs) and at San Jose State University. |
|
|
1997--Started working as science advisor at Horace Mann Elementary School. |
|
|
2000--was invited to teach Physics 1 (conceptual physics lecture) at SJSU. |
|
|
2000--was invited to teach Introduction to Astronomy via Evergreen Valley College. |
|
|
2000--was featured in SJSU newspaper, "The Spartan Daily", for innovations in teaching physics by using musical instruments and cool demos. |
|
|
2001--was invited to teach the last three weeks of lecture for Phys 2B at SJSU. Received unusually high praise from students. |
Musical Background
|
|
1977--started on drum kit. Main influences: John Bonham, Stewart Copeland, Manu Katche, Omar Hakim, Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, Neil Peart. |
|
|
1984--discovered the Beatles music in its entirety. |
|
|
1984--formal training on piano for 1 year. |
|
|
1985--began composing/recording/engineering my first songs. |
|
|
1985--started on synthesizers. |
|
|
1985--began jamming with friends in backroom of house |
|
|
1985--official moniker of "northern snow studios" used for backroom |
|
|
1985--started multitrack recording education |
|
|
1987--started on electric bass. |
|
|
1988--started on electric guitar. |
|
|
1989--played drums in "Bamboo Vandals" |
|
|
1990--played drums in "Luckydog", soon to be "Feast of Fools" |
|
|
1991--"Feast of Fools" headlines at Marsugi's in San Jose |
|
|
1991--started on ethnic hand drums (dhumbek, tabla, etc.). |
|
|
1992--started "The Weasles" project |
|
|
1992--started on trumpet. |
|
|
1992--played drums for "Newt Salamander" |
|
|
1993--"Newt Salamander" performs at the Cabaret |
|
|
1993--joined "Ritmos de Flamenco" as bassist/percussionist/vocalist |
|
|
1994--started on fretless bass, folk flute and cajon. |
|
|
1996--"Ritmos de Flamenco" disbands and reforms as "Silk Road" |
|
|
1997--started on flamenco guitar. |
|
|
2000--Parallel World Music, LLC is formed as music label |
|
|
2000--"Silk Road" debut CD released, recorded at northern snow studios |
|
|
2001--CD is #1 seller at local CD store! |
|
|
2001--KKUP radio show features "Silk Road" |
|
|
2001--new recordings of The Weasles initiated |
|
|
2001--Silk Road's next CD is in the works... |
This is my best friend Dana Manfredi. I met Dana at Tapestry in Talent on Labor Day Weekend in 1995. I was onstage with Silk Road. She was instantly taken by my snide remarks to the announcer who mispronounced the band members' names over the P.A. She heard me singing my composition "Pilgrimage to Santiago" and it made her cry. She's usually a tough woman, but something in the song got to her. We became close friends. She is the love of my life. I asked her to marry me on May 17, 1999, the 137th day of the year. We got married on July 15, 2000 at the San Jose Buddhist Church and Betsuin.
Crescent City, CA.
