Sumiya was born in Mito, Ibaraki, in 1995. At age 5, she started learning the piano and also started studying saxophone at age 12.In 2018, she graduated from the Department of Instrumental Music at the Faculty of Music of Tokyo University of the Arts. Upongraduating, she received the Acanthus Music Prize, the Ataka Award, and the Mitsubishi Estate Award.
Sumiya has won numerous competitions since high school, including 1st place in the saxophone division for the 22nd All-JapanJunior Classical Music Competition, 1st place in the 15th Junior Saxophone Competition, and the Gold Medal in the high schooldivision for the 15th Japan Junior Wind and Percussion Competition. As a university student, she won 1st place in the 6th AkiyoshidaiMusic Competition and the Grand Prize (Yamaguchi Prefectural Governor Award). Subsequent numerous awards include 2ndplace in the 34th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition. In July 2018, she became the first woman to win the 9th InternationalSaxophone Competition held in Slovenia. It was the first such feat accomplished since the founding of the competition.
Sumiya made her CD debut in 2018 with ‘Promenade’ (King Records). Frequent media appearances include TV Asahi’s UntitledConcert, BS Japan’s Enter the Music, Nippon Television’s Hirunandesu!, and NHK-FM’s Recital Nova. She is now a rising star amongfemale saxophonists, attracting attention from many quarters.
Sumiya has performed with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Gunma Symphony Orchestra, Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra,Tokyo Geidai Philharmonia, New Japan Philharmonic, and Tokyo Chamber Orchestra. She has been the artist-in-residence forthe Japan Foundation for Regional Art-Activities 2015/2016 Public Hall Music Revitalization Project, soprano saxophonist for theLumie Saxophone Quartet, and a member of Panda Wind Orchestra.
Sumiya has studied saxophone under Nobuya Sugawa, Nami Tsurukai, Masanori Oishi, and Sumichika Arimura.
