Her piano playing technique is very outstanding and she also has a passionate expression.”

–Prof. Bernd Glemser

Manami Matsushita was born in Osaka, Japan, and started playing piano at the age of five. As a child, she won many top prizes in national piano competitions. During this time, she also trained in and performed chamber music with other musicians. She made her piano concert debut as a soloist at the age of sixteen in which she played Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 at Izumi Hall in Osaka.

Manami studied at Osaka College of Music with Prof. Masatoshi Matsumoto and Prof. Shinya Okahara, where she got a bachelor’s degree with honors. During her time there, she became fascinated with German classical music and decided to continue her studies in Germany. She studied at the University of Music Würzburg (Hochschule für Musik Würzburg) with the world-famous pianist Prof. Bernd Glemser, whom Manami was greatly inspired by his music and learned many important concepts and techniques as a pianist. She graduated with a master’s degree as valedictorian of her class. Afterwards, she continued her studies at the University of Music Würzburg  and obtained a Konzertexamen, the highest degree that can be obtained from a music college in Germany, with Summa Cum Laude also as valedictorian of her class.

Manami has won first prize at the Euterpe International Music Competition and International Competition “Luigi Zanuccoli.” She was a finalist and received a special prize for “Best Baroque Player” at International Piano Competition “Memorijal Jurica Murai,” where Gregory Gruzman praised, “I will never forget her performance of Bach for the rest of my life.” In addition, she won first prize in all competitions within the University of Music Würzburg, which was the first time anyone did so in the history of the university.

Manami started performing concerts in Japan and Europe during her time at university. When she returned to Japan after her studies in Germany, she devoted her time to performing concerts, touring all over the country in prominent venues in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and more. She has developed a repertoire with a wide range that encompasses piano solos, piano concertos, and chamber music. Manami has also appeared on national television and radio programs, further increasing her activities as a pianist. In addition to performing, Manami also has a passion for teaching piano to her students. She has won a teaching award in 2021 for sending a significant number of her students to qualify for piano competitions. She maintains her roots in Japan but has recently moved to New York to immerse herself in a more international environment. She is a member of the "Steinway Teaching and Educational Partner (STEP)"