Gala Nagoya 2025

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is a major industrial hub in France, with a strong economy driven by industries like health, automotive, nuclear energy, and digital technologies. It also has a rich heritage of craftsmanship, particularly in watchmaking, jewelry, and leather goods.

The region is home to several innovation clusters that support collaboration between industry, education, and research. Beyond industry, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is a cultural treasure trove, offering delicious local products like mustard, cheese, and wines, and a landscape rich in history, natural beauty, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. The region provides a perfect blend of tradition, innovation, and scenic exploration.

Blanche Loiseau

Blanche Loiseau studied culinary arts at the Paul Bocuse Institute, where she graduated in 2015. She continued her career as a chef, working at "El Celler de Can Roca" in Girona, then in the south of France at "Auberge La Fenière".

In 2019, she immersed herself in Japanese cuisine for a year, working at "Aoyagi" in Tokyo, "Zeniya" in Kanazawa, and "Kitcho" in Kyoto, where she discovered Kaiseki cuisine. This experience in Japan helped Blanche immerse herself in Japanese culture and philosophy.

In 2021, she returned to the kitchen at the "Relais Bernard Loiseau", in "La Côte d'Or" in Saulieu. In 2023, she opened the restaurant “Loiseau du Temps” in Besançon with the Bernard Loiseau Group. Currently, she is in charge of the restaurant “Loiseau de France” in Tokyo, which opened in June 2024.

Central Saxophone Quartet

(From the left on the photo)

SACHIE OOYA

Graduated from the Music Department of Mie High School. She performed in the school's graduation concert. Graduated from Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, Department of Instrumental Music. Performed in the ‘Chamber Music Evening by Music College Students’ organised by the Japan Saxophone Society. Semi-finalist in the saxophone section of the 13th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition. Performed at the Mie High School Music Department Newcomer's Concert, and gave joint recitals with pianist Mariko Okai in Osaka and Nagoya in 2006.

Studied saxophone under Makio Sakurai, Kazuo Tomioka and Yoshiyuki Hattori, and chamber music under Masahiro Owada and Kazuo Tomioka. She is currently active in performing and training younger musicians, as well as teaching brass band and ensemble music. Member of the saxophone quartet Blanche and Unita della Saxe. Lecturer at the Dolce Music Academy. Director General of the Technical Promotion Committee of the Nagoya Saxophone Society. She is also a trainer of the brass band club of Gifu High School.

NORIE SANO

Born in Shizuoka Prefecture. Graduated from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music.

Passed the 7th ‘Master Artists of Shizuoka’ audition, and since 2005 has given solo recitals and recitals with her Arion Saxophone Quartet throughout Japan. She also performs with the Central Aichi Symphony Orchestra as a soloist. She studied saxophone under Masato Kumoi. She is the representative of the Nagoya Academic Winds.

Since 2009, she has been studying wind ensemble at the Midwest Clinic (Chicago, USA). 2 solo albums have been released. She is a part-time teacher at Kinjo Gakuin University and Nagoya College of Music.

KAYO MAMURO

Born in Kagawa, started playing saxophone at the age of 12.

Graduated from Kagawa Prefectural Sakaide High School, Music Department and from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, Department of Instrumental Music. She studied saxophone under Tetsuro Matsushige and Masato Kumoi, and studied chamber music under Hito Sugawara, Ryohei Nakagawa and Shiro Murata.

As a solo saxophonist, she actively participates in a wide range of performances, mainly in the Tokai region, in solo and chamber music, and in various genres. Member of Crescent Company, Sax quartet METEOR, Melange Saxophone Quartet and Masters Brass Nagoya. Lecturer at Nagoya Music Hall and Bardon Philstage and part-time teacher at Ogaki Women's Junior College.

SAYAKA INOUE

Born in Okazaki City in Aichi Prefecture. She started playing saxophone at the age of 12.

Graduated from Mitsugaoka Girls' High School and Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.

She studied saxophone under Chinami Takimoto and Yoshiyuki Hattori, and chamber music under Masahiro Owada, Yoshiyuki Hattori, Shinichi Iwamoto and Kazuo Tomioka.

Currently, in addition to performing solo, chamber and brass band music, she is also active in teaching younger musicians. Member of the Nagoya Academic Winds. Instructor of the brass band club at Okazaki Josai High School.