© Ryuya Amao

Hayato Sumino began his professional music career by winning the Grand Prix at the PTNA Piano Competition in 2018. He garnered international attention in 2021 as a semi-finalist at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, where his unique and characterful performances captured the audience’s hearts.

Sumino has performed with leading orchestras worldwide, including the Hamburg Symphony, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Marin Alsop. His performances have captivated audiences across North America, Europe, and Asia, both online and in numerous live events.

In 2024, Sumino embarked on an extensive tour across Japan, performing 24 sold-out recitals. He is scheduled to make debuts at prestigious music festivals such as the Rheingau Musik Festival in Germany, the Gstaad Menuhin Festival in Switzerland, and the Ravinia Festival in the United States, where he will also perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The 2024/2025 season sees Sumino collaborating with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra for an 11-concert tour in Japan, conducted by Marin Alsop. He is set to debut at Europe’s renowned concert halls, including the Berlin Philharmonie and Munich Prinzregententheater. Additionally, he will perform Olivier Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie with the New Japan Philharmonic, led by Joe Hisaishi.

Sony Classical recently announced an exclusive recording contract with Sumino, adding him to their roster of internationally celebrated pianists. His debut album, scheduled for release in Autumn 2024, will feature a diverse selection of works by composers such as Bach, Fauré, Purcell, Sakamoto, and Sumino himself.

Sumino holds a Master of Engineering degree from The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Information Science and Technology. He was honored with The University of Tokyo President’s Award in 2020 for his exceptional achievements in both music and academics. He has been recognised on the Forbes Japan 30 Under 30 list, became a Steinway Artist in 2021, and serves as an ambassador for CASIO electronic musical instruments.

An active online presence, Sumino shares his original compositions and arrangements on his YouTube channel ‘Cateen’, which boasts over 1.3 million subscribers and 170 million views. His unique style blends classical technique with an arranger’s ear and improvisational skills, bringing a fresh and innovative approach to piano music.