Dr. Yota Kobayashi is a soundscape artist specializing in the creation of immersive and interactive soundscapes for audio-visual installations through an integrated practice of sound production, composition, and software development. His works aim to evoke an image of the universe as comprising harmoniously developing realities.

He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from Simon Fraser University (2007), with a concentration in electroacoustic composition and soundscape studies, and a Master of Music (2012) and Doctor of Musical Arts (2018) in Composition from the University of British Columbia. At these institutions, he studied music technology and composition with Barry Truax and Keith Hamel, and music theory with John Roeder. His research on human-computer interaction for experiential artwork centers on the theme of “embodied virtuality,” with a focus on the design and development of interactive systems and real-time generative music programs driven by software agents.

His research and art projects have been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the UBC Institute for Computing, Information and Cognitive Systems (ICICS), the Canada Council for the Arts, Creative BC, the British Columbia Arts Council, and the National Association of Japanese Canadians. His works have been presented internationally at festivals, conferences, and exhibitions. Notable awards include First Prize at Musica Nova (2008, 2009, Czech Republic) and First Prize at the Concours Internazionale Luigi Russolo (2010, Italy).