Born in Tokyo, Japan, Sawako Harada started playing piano at the age of five. Fascinated by the colorful tones of the instrument, three years later she began studying under the tutelage of Ms. Kayo Wakao, embarking on a musical journey that has become her passion. She is currently a student of Professor Kooryeong Park studying piano as a scholarship student at the Music School of Children affiliated with the Toho Gakuen College Music Department.

In the summer of 2019, she participated in The Cleveland International Piano Competition’s Preparatory Camp for Young Artists and won first prize in the junior division of the performance finals. She has also placed in numerous piano competitions in Japan, including first prize at the 73rd Student Music Concours. She won the Best 7 award at the 45th National Piano Teachers’ Association of Japan Competition (under 16 division), and third prize in the junior high school category of the 23rd Japan Players Competition and the 30th Japan Classical Music Competition (no first or second prize awarded). Sawako has participated in several master classes in Japan and the United States with distinguished pianists including Pascal Devoyon, Alexey Lebedev, Yaron Kohlberg, and Stanislav Khristenko.

At age 13, she gave her first concert in Yokohama as part of the award for winning the Student Music Concours. She has performed in many of the finest concert halls in Tokyo, including Kioi and Dai-ichi Seimei Halls. Sawako has taken part in the Piano Academy Program organized by Sony Computer Science Laboratories, where she works with Professor Dina Yoffe, Musical Director, and Dr. Shinichi Furuya, an organizer, to advance her studies through a comprehensive approach to enhancing young artists’ musical and physical capabilities.

In addition to being a soloist, Sawako takes a strong interest in interpreting chamber music. In her spare times, she enjoys going to concerts, watching movies, and visiting theme parks with friends.

REPERTOIRE

Round I

Mozart                                 Sonata No. 10 in C Major, K. 330

Schumann                           Abegg Variations in F Major, Op. 1

Round II

Bach                                      French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816

Chopin                                  Etude in G-flat Major, Op. 10, No. 5

Kapustin                              Eight Concert Etudes: No. 1, Prelude, Op. 40

Scriabin                                Sonata No. 2 in G-sharp minor, Op. 19

Round III

Mozart                                 Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488