Bassoonist Yumi Deger (born Matsumoto) learned reed making at the age of 15 from her first teacher Masayuki Okamoto (Principal Bassoonist, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and Professor, Tokyo University of Fine Arts). She has studied with Motoko Kawamura (Principal Bassoonist, New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra), Georg Klütsch (Professor, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln), Valentino Zucchiatti (Principal Bassoonist, Teatro alla Scala), and Ulrich Hermann (Professor, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, previously Universität Mainz).

Through her skilfull selection of cane and fine reedwork she has become a sought-after reed maker among professors, soloists, orchestra musicians, and students. After many years of experience in the production of high-quality reeds, YUUMI REEDS has many high-profile regular customers in orchestras such as Gürzenich Orchester Köln, WDR Sinfonie Orchester, Tonhalle Zurich, Rotterdam Philharmonie Orchestra, and Theater Hannover.

Yumi Deger is popular as a substitute bassoonist in internationally renowned orchestras, teaches at several music schools (Musikschule der Stadt Düsseldorf, der Stadt Bonn und der Stadt Köln), and is bassoon teacher and reed making instructor at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln.