After graduating from Kwassui Women’s University in the music department for piano and organ, Ayuko Matsuda began her professional career working with the composer Akira Miyoshi, an artistic adviser to Nagaoka Lyric Hall. She took charge of the planning and public relations role at the Nagaoka City Arts and Culture Promotion Foundation.

In 2001 she managed the Nagaoka Lyric Hall’s 5th- anniversary celebration. In addition to Japan’s celebration, she partnered with the Aldeburgh Festival Music Festival for performances in England. Pairing Britten’s opera “Curlew River” and a Noh performance of “Sumida River,” the performances were selected as part of the “Japan 2001” UK national event. They received great acclaim in both the UK and Japan. Ayuko subsequently joined the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Going beyond arts and culture industries, she held communications management roles at Japan Post Co., Ltd. and Industrial Growth Platform Inc (IGPI). During these appointments, Ayuko was particularly involved in the CSR activities of her companies and clients and in supporting the growth of companies funded and supported by IGPI.

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In 2013, she returned to the Tokyo Philharmonic as the Director of Public Relations and External Affairs, overseeing the communications function, and negotiating the sponsorships around major events and projects, including the Tokyo Philharmonic’s 100th Anniversary Celebration and World Tour, the 50th Anniversary of Japan-Korea Diplomatic Normalization, the 45th Anniversary of Japan-China Diplomatic Normalization,” and more.

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Ayuko established Almond Co., Ltd. in November 2018. She also serves as an IGPI advisor, an international PR representative of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and a Gunma Symphony Orchestra board member.

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Ayuko is the author of two books (in Japanese), entitled “A Broad History of Classical Music” and “A Broad History of Classical Masterpieces”.