Jan-Marie Endo, A guitar teacher, shares her thoughts on the impact of women in her life, her career, and the importance of female representation in music and education.

When asked who inspired her the most for her career Endo said it was her grandmother. She explained that her grandmother raised her and taught her the values of kindness, respect, and embracing womanhood. These lessons continue to shape who she is today.

In terms of her career, Endo said she always wanted to become a guitar teacher. However, she rarely saw women in that role early on. That changed when she attended a festival in North Carolina as a sophomore and heard Candace Mowbray speak. Mowbray, a composer and educator, made a strong impression on her and became someone she looks up to.

Endo believes one of the biggest challenges women still face today is society’s expectations about how women should act and present themselves. She describes these norms as unnecessary and emphasizes that people should be free to be themselves, regardless of gender. 

When it comes to pride, Endo said she feels proud to be a woman every day. She embraces her identity and sees womanhood as something to celebrate constantly and not just in specific moments. 

She also spoke about supporting other women, especially in music. Since she often encounters more male guitar players, she makes a point to show extra encouragement to female musicians she meets at competitions and concerts.

Endo stressed the importance of teaching women’s history in schools. She believes that learning about female musicians, composers, and educators gives young women role models they can connect with, something she feels is lacking. 

As an example of an underrated woman in history, she mentioned Amelia Giuliani. Despite being the daughter of well-known composer Mauro Giuliani, Endo noted that Amelia’s work is just as strong, if not better, yet it is far less recognized.

To better support and empower young women, Endo believes schools should highlight women as much as men in history and experiences. She also emphasized the importance of teaching girls about their bodies and recognizing their unique strengths.

Her advice to young women is simple: Embrace the strategy of life you are in. She described growing from a girl into a woman as a beautiful experience and encouraged young women to appreciate it and find happiness in it.