Mio Sakamoto (b.1983) was born in Tokyo. Since 1995 she has lived in the Czech Republic. She studied at the Prague Conservatory with Prof. Jan Novotný, graduating in 2004 with a solo recital and Mozart's Concerto in A K.488. She won several awards including first prize at the Competition in Olomouc for students of Czech Pedagogical Faculties and second prize in the Concertino Praga Radio competition. Most notably, she won second prize at the Smetana Piano Competition, together with the Smetana Association
and Czech Radio prizes for the best performance of a classical sonata.
Now she is engaged in concert and pedagogical activities. She performs regularly both as soloist and chamber music player, participating in a number of music festivals such as Prague Music Days, Treasures of the Broumov Region, Prague Proms etc. She regularly cooperates with the Western Bohemian Symphony Orchestra, Mariánské Lázně, and with members of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Symphony Orchestra and Suk Chamber Orchestra. She is also a much sought-after accompanist.