He studied composition, piano, and conducting at the Tokyo University of the Arts before joining the collaborative group of composers and performers known as “Ensemble Vent d’Orient” in 1977. Notably, his piece “Ei-Sho” won both the Otaka Prize and the Grand-Prix of IRC-UNESCO in 1994 and 1995, respectively. In 2001 he received the Otaka Prize again for his piece “Scenes of the Earth.” Since 2008, Kitazume’s interest in wind orchestra has led him annually to produce “Band Restoration,” a project that has eight school brass bands premiere 8 new pieces for wind ensemble by contemporary composers. Sonically, his works often originate from his dialogic relationship with nature. Michio Kitazume is affiliate professor of Tokyo College of Music and professor emeritus of Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music.