Born in Yokohama Japan, Mayumi began her piano studies at four years old and has studied piano in the United States since she was 14 years old. She earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati. She has studied with noted Cincinnati teachers Elizabeth and Eugene Pridonoff, and Bela Siki, and Juilliard School’s Herbert Stessin.

 

Her extensive experience as an accompanist includes the studios of Juilliard string teachers Dorothy Delay, Masao Kawasaki, and Zara Nelsova while on a fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival. 

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Her doctoral dissertation " The History of Piano Improvisation in Western Concert Music" has been referenced in various academic papers.

 

While working on her dissertation, she moved to Denton Texas and enrolled in the jazz program at the University of North Texas.  It was during this time that she realized the importance of learning different styles of music. Each style brings a different skill set that helps develop a well-rounded musician. 

 

Studying jazz has equipped her with musical skills such as improvisation, reading chord charts,  arranging/ composition, learning music by ear ( a must-have skill for today’s professional musicians), which are not emphasized in traditional classical piano studies.

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Having been a classical musician first then studying jazz has placed her with a unique perspective on how to expand the musical knowledge and skills for the classically trained piano students and teachers.