Opening Messages
Summer in JAPAN Co-founder: Sumire Hirotsuru
Opening Speech Summer in JAPAN 2024
Dear SIJ students and parents, Team USA, Harvard University and Tufts university, Team Japan, APU, AIU, Oita University faculty of medicine, our staff and board members, and distinguished guests of honor, Oita Governor Sato, APU President Yoneyama, AIU President Cassim, I am very happy to announce the commencement of the 12th Summer in JAPAN.
Hi everyone, I am very happy to see all of you students and instructors gathered at this Opening Ceremony of Summer in JAPAN 2024. Since this is the 12th year we hold the program, it is beyond my words that you are all here in Oita to learn new things.
I would like to tell you one thing. Please learn from differences. When I play as a violinist with a lot of musicians, I really enjoy working with people from different backgrounds with different genres such as jazz, classical pops — because I really enjoy knowing differences. They might perform in different styles with different narratives, but that is how I get inspired. If everyone thinks in the same way, there is no fun in knowing each other. So instead of comparing with each other, find differences within each other and learn from them. That will give you an insight of how to be a better person. And I believe that those learning experiences Summer in JAPAN will inspire you on your journey. Good luck!
Sumire Hirotsuru is a professional violinist based in Tokyo/New York. She has appeared in notable venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Leipzig Gewandhaus and a recent album she joined as a member of The Knights has been nominated to the Grammys 2022. In Japan, she has performed as a soloist with Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, and more. As a graduate of Harvard College and The Juilliard School, she enjoys her career on media and education as well – by writing four Amazon best-seller books, serving as a weekly TV commentator on the Morning Show, and teaching as Select Associate Professor at Akita International University and Guest Lecturer at Seikei University. She is a co-founder of a summer education program Summer in JAPAN (since 2013) and recently released her debut CD “Mendelssohn Violin Concerto + Bach Chaconne.” and a tango album “Psicoporteño” recorded in Buenos Aires with Típica Messiez. She loves sleeping and watching cute Pomeranian videos.