Historic win of prestigious competition

At just 22 years old, Manami Suzuki made history in 2024 as the first Japanese pianist to win the prestigious Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan. In addition to taking home the First Prize, Suzuki also earned the Chamber Music Award and the Audience Prize, marking an extraordinary achievement.

In August 2023, she received the Grand Prix and Audience Award at the 47th PTNA (Piano Teachers’ National Association of Japan) Piano Competition, as well as the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award and the Steinway Award.

In October of the same year, Suzuki won First Prize in the piano division of the 92nd Japan Music Concours, the Iwatani Prize (Audience Award), Nomura Prize, Iguchi Prize, Kawai Prize, Miyake Prize, Argerich Arts Foundation Prize, and INPEX Prize.

Following these awards, she gave recitals in various locations in Japan, receiving favorable reviews.

Additionally, Suzuki has performed with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. She participated in the Hamamatsu International Piano Academy and Kirishima International Music Festival.

Born in Osaka, Japan in 2002, Suzuki began playing the piano at the age of four. Currently, she is pursuing a master’s degree at Tokyo College of Music and is studying under Katsunori Ishii.