GENERAL MANAGEMENT 🌎

Hayato Sumino burst onto the classical music scene with his Grand Prix win at the 2018 PTNA Piano Competition. However, it was his captivating and characterful performances as a semi-finalist at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw that truly established him as a rising star. His profound artistry and impeccable technique left both audiences and critics in awe.

Renowned for his vibrant stage presence and technical brilliance, Hayato has performed with some of the world's top orchestras, including the Hamburg Symphony, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic, Japan Philharmonic, The Boston Pops, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His performances have mesmerized audiences across North America, Europe, and Asia, both in concert halls and through his dynamic online presence.

In 2024, Hayato embarked on a highly anticipated tour of Japan, performing 24 sold-out recitals. This extensive tour culminated in a grand celebration of his July 14th birthday at Budokan in Tokyo, where he performed for over 13,000 fans. That summer, he also made his debut at several prestigious festivals, including the Rheingau Musik Festival in Germany, the Gstaad Menuhin Festival in Switzerland, and the Ravinia Festival in the United States, where he debuted with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The 2024/2025 season further solidifies Hayato's status as one of the most in-demand pianists of his generation. He kicks off the season with an 11-concert tour across Japan with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, led by Marin Alsop. He is also set to make his debut at some of Europe’s most prestigious concert venues, including the Berlin Philharmonie, Munich Prinzregententheater, Liederhalle Stuttgart, and Tonhalle Zürich, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie. In addition, he will perform Olivier Messiaen's *Turangalîla-Symphonie* with the New Japan Philharmonic under the legendary Maestro Joe Hisaishi and on tour with Bamberg Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jakub Hrusa.

A significant milestone in his career was his signing as an exclusive Sony Classical artist in March 2024, a partnership that promises to elevate his international profile even further. In addition to his musical achievements, Hayato holds a Master of Engineering from The University of Tokyo and was honored with the university’s President's Award in 2020 for his exceptional contributions to both music and academia.

Hayato’s unique style—melding classical virtuosity with innovative arrangements and improvisation—has also made him a digital sensation. His YouTube channel “Cateen,” with over 1.4 million subscribers and 200 million views, showcases his original compositions and arrangements, further cementing his influence in the modern music landscape.

Named to Forbes Japan's "30 Under 30" list in 2023, Hayato Sumino has been a Steinway Artist since 2021 and serves as an Ambassador for both Apple Music Classical and CASIO. With his fresh and innovative approach to piano music, Hayato continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

--- 2024/2025