Profile
Yumi Okazaki, Pianist

Yumi Okazaki started piano practice under Sakae Hatori’s instruction at her age of 13. She studied at Tokyo University of Arts under Professor Emeritus Yasuko Tani and earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano.
In 1983, Hungarian government awarded Yumi a scholarship with high distinction for studying at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest, where she studied in the master classes under Kornel Zempleni and Sandor Falvay, as well as Zoltan Kocsis, Oxana Jablonskaja, and George Sebők.
Upon returning to Japan, Yumi embarked on a series of nationwide solo piano recitals and concerts with prestigious orchestras such as the Tokyo Philharmonic, the Nagoya Philharmonic, and the Kyushu Philharmonic, enthralling audiences with for her subtle yet powerful musical expression.
In 1986, Yumi won the first place in the piano division at the 5th Annual Music Competition in Iizuka, sponsored by the Asahi Shimbun Company, and also won the Grand Prix and the Minister’s Award from Japan’s Ministry of Education,
In 1989, Yumi released her debut CD from King Records, and her follow-up CDs from Sony Records.
Since her debut, Yumi has performed at Carnegie Hall, Colburn Thayer Hall, Tokyo Kioi Hall, Suntory Hall, Oosaka Izumi Hall, Nagoya Shirakawa Hall, Kyoto Concert Hall and many other major concert halls.

Featured Performances
・2004〜2014 Produced and performed at “Wakodo presents, Yumi Okazaki Family Concert”, which is a unique classical music concert; opened the door for preschool children and focused on expecting mothers for their mental health as well as prenatal education
・2005 Published a book accompanied with a CD, “Classical Music Fosters Good Children” (Kurashikku o kiku to yoi ko ga sodatsu)
・2007〜2009 Studied modern music and composition at Pacific Lutheran University.
・2011 “Save Japan” concerts in Istanbul and Tokyo
・2011 Performed at a concert with the Kurashiki Orchestra commemorating the 10th anniversary of Kaheita Okazaki Memorial Hall, named in the honor of Yumi’s grandfather
・2013〜2022 Performed at a charity concert for ‘Sailors for the Sea,’ an international non- profit organization under the leadership of David Rockefeller Jr..
・2016〜 Performed at “ Yumi Okazaki Music Time Line” with Tokyo Universal
Philharmonic Orchestra in junior and senior high schools all over Japan.
・2017 Performed at International Ladies Benevolent Society and Kids Erath Fund.
・2019 Recital at Carnegie Hall and Colburn Thayer Hall with Beethoven program.
・2021 Performed at “Prayer Concert from Vatican to Japan produced by Masahiro Shimba(tenor singer).
・2022 Performed at the dinner for World Assemble for Women (WAW! 2022) hosted by Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida.

TV・Radio programs
MC:
USA Express (ANB), TV Tacle (ANB), Oshare Kohboh (NHK), Okazaki Yumi’s Classical Music Forest (RF Radio), Okazaki Yumi’s Good Day’s Happiness (RF Radio)
Performance:
Cinema Paradise (NHK)
Reporter:
Otonakibun de Washington (TX), Beijing Shuten
Etranger (TX)

Members
Committee member of the Sony Foundation of Education (2001~2023)
Member of the Japan Federation of Musicians
Member of the Piano Teachers’ National Association of Japan
Advisor for the Kids Earth Foundation