Sumire Hirotsuru
Violinist, Educator, Social entrepreneur
（日本語版プロフィールはこちら）
Sumire Hirotsuru is a multifaceted violinist and strategic leader operating at the intersection of international relations, music, and global education. A graduate of Harvard University (B.A.) and The Juilliard School (M.M.), she is a leading voice in Japan’s new public diplomacy, utilizing the arts as a tool for cross-border dialogue and strategic communication. In 2025, she was appointed as a member of the Central Council for Education (MEXT), where she advises on the globalization of the Japanese education system.
For a detailed look at Sumire’s performances, educational initiatives, and policy work, please see her full profile below.
I. CULTURAL DIPLOMACY & PERFORMANCE
Based in New York and Tokyo, Sumire is a distinctive soloist and cultural envoy whose career spans the world’s most prestigious stages. She has appeared as a featured soloist with leading international ensembles, including the Denmark Philharmonic Orchestra, the members of NHK Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Her solo recital tours have reached audiences across Japan and the United States, with performances at Suntory Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center.
A sought-after collaborator across genres, Sumire was a featured performer on an international tour with jazz legend Chris Botti and has participated in cultural collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble. Her versatility extends to recording soundtracks for the Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts series with the Video Game Orchestra, performing with Bach Collegium Japan on baroque violin, and recording the tango album Psicoporteño in Buenos Aires with Típica Messiez.
In addition to her solo career, Sumire is a founding member of the Ansonia Quartet and has performed as an ensemble member of the Grammy-nominated group The Knights. She has served as Artist Faculty and Education Advisor for the Classical Music Institute in San Antonio, Texas, and hosted “Sumire Hirotsuru’s Chamber Music Lab” at Suntory Hall.
II. EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP & ACADEMIA
Sumire is a dedicated advocate for “Track 1.5” diplomacy—bridging the gap between official policy and grassroots educational exchange. As Select Associate Professor at Akita International University (AIU) and Guest Lecturer at Seikei University, she mentors future global leaders through a lens of liberal arts and internationalism.
In 2013, she co-founded Summer in JAPAN (SIJ), an annual education program in her hometown of Oita. By inviting Harvard undergraduates to lead intensive workshops for Japanese youth, she has institutionalized a decade-long model of cross-cultural mentorship and English immersion. Her “Summer in JAPAN Classical Concert” series has reached thousands of attendees, facilitating a unique dialogue between international talents and local communities.
III. MEDIA & PUBLIC DISCOURSE
A prominent voice in Japanese media, Sumire served as a weekly regular commentator on the national TV news program “The Morning Show” (TV Asahi) for four years (2021–2025). Through her media presence, public speaking, and four Amazon best-selling books, she advocates for youth empowerment and the integration of arts into leadership.
She earned her B.A. from Harvard University with the David McCord Prize and her M.M. from The Juilliard School with the William Schuman Prize, awarded for outstanding achievement and leadership in music. She has released multiple albums, including her debut CD Mendelssohn Violin Concerto + Bach Chaconne (2022) and her most recent release, 11 STORIES (2025), under her own label, Hatch Music.
IV. MENTORSHIP & AFFILIATIONS
Sumire has studied violin under the guidance of Masao Kawasaki, Akiko Tatsumi, Eduard Schmieder, and Zakhar Bron. She studied chamber music under the members of the Juilliard String Quartet and tango violin under Pablo Agri. She also serves on the Board of Education in Oita City, helping to shape regional educational policy.
IN THE PRESS & EXTERNAL FEATURES
✳︎ Harvard Magazine 2023 July-August issue, a spotlight interview on Sumire Hirotsuru as a Harvard alumnus titled “Impatience Is a Virtue.”
✳︎ KIZUNA, an interview article by the Japanese Government in 2022 titled “Embracing Music as an Indispensable Tool for Social Change”
✳︎ 16 Artists, a podcast series with Harvard Class of 2016 and the Office for the Arts at Harvard
✳︎ Pause for Art, a video compilation project by the Office for the Arts at Harvard
✳︎ Podcast Interview by Skip the Repeat “The Literal Five Minute Key to Productivity”
✳︎ My Interview Article with Damian Woetzel, the new President of The Juilliard School
✳︎ An episode of Creative World (KXLA), an interview show in greater LA area
✳︎ YouTube channel for some performance videos
✳︎ Last but not least, follow me on Instagram for more real-time updates!
Sumire Hirotsuru 