Violinist Yuki Numata Resnick on Music as a Tool for Change and Finding Purpose Beyond the Applause

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 Visionary02:45 Navigating Career Shifts and Personal Growth03:07 Sponsor Highlight: Plant Gem03:55 Yuki's Early Years and Musical Journey05:26 Challenges and Triumphs in Music Education15:09 The Birth of Buffalo String Works20:18 Building a Community Through Music23:38 Inspiration Behind Buffalo String Works27:12 Launching and Growing the Nonprofit28:02 Growth and Learning in Buffalo String Works29:00 Taking on Leadership and Challenges34:34 Balancing Personal and Professional Life41:50 Transition to Philanthropy45:57 Reflections and Future Aspirations49:57 Closing Thoughts and ResourcesLinks:Yuki Numata ResnickYuki Numata Resnick InstagramBuffalo String WorksArts and Culture at the Community Foundation for Greater BuffaloIndra Nooyi QuoteToni Morrison QuoteAshley 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/ Sign up for Ashley’s newsletter for free coaching reflections, tools and news: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/643399411150f24bd562b5f5 Podcast artwork by George Bangs. Photography by Cary JobeThis podcast is made possible thanks to our amazing partner Plantgem. Get 20% off your order when you use the code  IMAGINE.