Tomoko Sugawara was born in Tokyo, Japan. She began playing the Irish Harp at age eleven and the Concert Harp at seventeen. Sugawara went on to study the Harp at Tokyo University of the Arts and Cultural History at Seijo University in Tokyo.

After graduating, Sugawara played performed in various orchestras and ensembles as well as solo concerts. In 1991, she began playing the ancient Asian harp, Kugo. Since 2007 she has been conducting research & activities in New York under an Asian Cultural Council grant. In 2013 she founded Eurasia Consort ensemble. In 2018 and 2019, Sugawara visited Shanghai Conservatory of Music as a visiting researcher. There she researched Tang Dynasty music and taught the harp.

She enjoys playing harps from East & West, including the Modern Harp, the Renaissance Harp, the Baroque Triple Harp, and The Asian Harp Kugo.

Sugawara has given solo recitals and workshops at major international venues, such as The World Music Institute in New York, and World Harp Congresses in Prague, Amsterdam, and Vancouver. Other venues include: The Early Music Guild of Seattle, The British Museum, Central China Conservatory of Music (Beijing), Symposium on historical Harps in Berlin, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and many Universities: Columbia, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Illinois and Indiana.

Student Testimonial:

• "The first time I heard Tomoko’s harp performance, I was captivated by the beautiful music and her skillful technique. Inspired, I started learning the harp from her. She teaches beginners very patiently, gradually increasing their skills. Over more than two years of studying with her, I improved a lot. Tomoko is a trustworthy and excellent teacher, always encouraging and providing helpful feedback. Learning from her has been a rewarding experience."

  
  

  Grace, Harp Student