Michiyo Sato started to play the clarinet at the age of 12. She completed her bachelor's and master's degree atTokyo University of the Arts. She won the first prize at the 4th Japan Woodwind Competition and the second prize at the 63th Music Competition of Japan. She has played with orchestras such as New Japan Philharmonic, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, and Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra.
After working as a part-time instructor at Geidai Philharmonia, she currently serves as principal clarinet with Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.