Born in Tokyo, Japan, Sumire Eckstein started playing piano at the age of 3 and continued her studies in Switzerland and Canada from age 14. She later obtained her Bachelor of Music degree in piano from The University of British Columbia, and her Master of Music degree in piano performance and literature from The University of Western Ontario, Canada. Her principal teachers are Barrie Barrington, Sara Davis Buechner, Henri-Paul Sicsic, the Canadian duo pianists James Anagnoson & Leslie Kinton, and Takahiro Hoshino.

After graduating, she has performed solo and collaborative recitals in Japan, taught piano lessons privately, and translated masterclasses given by foreign pianists. In addition, Sumire performed with the Florence Symphony Orchestra and at the Florence Performing Arts Center. She was also a professor at Francis Marion University before recently moving to the Charlotte area. She is currently a professor at Pfeiffer University.

Education

• Private training and masterclass 2009-2012
  Toho Gakuen School of Music, Tokyo, Japan
  Instructor: Takahiro Hoshino
• Master of Music in Literature and Performance (solo piano) 2008
  The University of Western Ontario, Canada
  Primary instructors: James Anagnoson and Leslie Kinton
• Semaine Internationale de Piano et de Musique de Chambre 2007
  Intensive training with masterclasses and concerts
  Centre de Musique Hindemith, Switzerland
  Instructors: Edith Fischer and Jorge Pepi-Alos
• Bachelor of Music in piano (general studies) 2006
  The University of British Columbia, Canada
  Primary instructors: Sara Davis Buechner and Henri-Paul Sicsic
  Transferred from Douglas College, Canada
  Instructor: Barrie Barrington