Arlene Toshiko Matsuoka Cole, 79, of Providence, Rhode Island, passed
away on August 17, 2022. She was born in Camp Jerome, Arkansas on May
26, 1943, to the late James Matsuoka and Dassie Matsuoka nee Yasunaga.
Arlene is survived by her husband Brian, her children Geraldine and
Elliot, and her dog Leya. She also leaves behind her mother Dassie
and her sisters Louise, Nancy, and Marilyn.
Arlene grew up in Cleveland and attended the Cleveland Institute of
Music. Following her graduation from the Eastman School of Music, she
completed her graduate education at Yale.
An accomplished concert pianist, chamber musician, and educator with
the Brown Music Department for over 50 years, Arlene was passionate
about teaching and mentoring her students and was beloved both for her
guidance in the classroom and for her tireless organization of
recitals and events outside the classroom. At Brown she taught
rigorous advanced musicianship courses, music theory labs, and theory
courses, providing a foundation for students to follow their musical
ambitions. As Director of the Applied Music Keyboard Program, Arlene
taught and managed individual keyboard lessons, organized visiting
artist recitals and master classes, and oversaw the department's two
annual student recitals, including The Arlene Cole Brunch Recital on
Family Weekend which was renamed in her honor in 2021.
Arlene was one of two Brown scholars invited to teach master classes
at an international music symposium in China, and one of only ten
pianists internationally invited to participate in the inaugural
Cleveland Art Song Festival. Throughout her tenure at Brown, she
performed many new works by Rhode Island composers and frequently
collaborated with colleagues in recitals. In recognition of her work,
Arlene retired in 2021 with the title Assistant Professor of the
Practice of Music. She will be remembered and sorely missed by all she
has touched over the years.
Private services will be held at Family's Choice Cremation in Warren,
RI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to *The American Cancer
Society* or to *Brown University, Music Department, Box 1924,
Providence, RI 02912 with "Cole Piano Fund" in the memo line.*
*For Photos Click the Link in the Bottom Green Box.