Kyoto University of the Arts, Uryuyama Gakuen Educational Corporation Report on a special event where Da-iCE lecturer Daiki Kudo spoke about “How to make music” and “The joy of learning” Over 2,100 people applied to participate in Kyoto University

[Kyoto University of the Arts, Uryuyama Gakuen Educational Foundation] Report on a special event where Da-iCE instructor Daiki Kudo spoke about “How to Make Music” and “The Joy of Learning.” Over 2,100 people registered to participate in Kyoto University of the Arts’ online event, the largest number ever. ​
Kyoto University of the Arts, Uryuyama Gakuen Educational Foundation Press Release: October 20, 2025 Report on a special event where Da-iCE instructor Daiki Kudo spoke about “How to Make Music” and “The Joy of Learning.” Over 2,100 people registered to participate in Kyoto University of the Arts’ online event, the highest number ever. Correspondence University “22 Learnings” trial classes start on November 8th ─ Junji Ishiwata lectures on “What is
songwriting?” Kyoto University of Arts (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City / President: Taku Sato) is one of Japan’s largest comprehensive arts universities, with approximately 23,000 students studying both on-campus and correspondence courses. Approximately 18,000 students nationwide are enrolled in its correspondence courses, making it the largest private university correspondence course in Japan. On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the university held a special online event for its correspondence music course, “Digging Deeper into Music Production with Professor Daiki Kudo.” The event, initially limited to 1,000 participants, received a much greater response than expected, leading to a rapid expansion of the application slots. In the end, over 2,100 people applied to participate, making the event a great success.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/26069/604/26069-604-007a668e3b01f9122edc5476fec1da82-1920×1080.jpg

At the beginning of the event, a professor from Kyoto University of the Arts outlined the new music course to be launched in April 2026. After introducing the curriculum, which systematically teaches DTM (desktop music, or music created on a computer) for beginners and experienced artists alike, Da-iCE leader Taiki Kudo, who will be teaching songwriting in the course, took the stage. Kudo, who writes lyrics, composes music, and produces music, enjoyed a valuable opportunity to discuss his creative process and the ideas he values ​​in cultivating his own creativity. The interviewer was Associate Professor Hiroshi Egawa of our university, who has written lyrics and music for numerous artists as a lyricist and composer. During the Q&A session in the second half, he answered questions from the audience. The conversation was so intense that Kudo himself commented, “I’ve never had the opportunity to talk this much about how I create music.” ■Strongly aware of “authorship” since the indie days Since the formation of Da-iCE, Kudo has been thinking about how to differentiate himself from other groups affiliated with major companies, and has established a stance of working on his own music. He spoke about his commitment to “making” his own music. ■The Importance of Catching Up with the Times While Maintaining a Solid Core The released song became a hot topic as “sing-along” and “dance-along” videos spread one after another on social media. While acknowledging that it is the norm these days to consider “how to create buzz” when creating, he emphasized that the most important thing is “what kind of person you want to be.” He conveyed this universal attitude that applies to all creative endeavors to the participants. ■Find your own answer in a world where there are no correct answers In the world of music, there are 100 different ways of interacting with others and 100 different correct answers. Kudo shared a message for prospective students: “Pursue the musical aspirations of each of you while cherishing the spirit of confrontation that is discussed in class.” Q. What should a beginner songwriter start with? A. I recommend starting by copying music you like. I also recommend choosing something that’s so difficult it’s “out of reach.” By honing your skills, you’ll eventually be able to recreate the finer details. Q. When you listen to music, do you listen analytically? Or do you listen purely for enjoyment? A. I listen almost 100% analytically. I’ve been listening like this even before I started making music, thinking, “This chord progression has that pattern,” or “How are these lyrics structured?” Even when I watch other artists’ live performances, I find myself thinking, “If it were me, I would do it like this” (laughs). Q. If you were to enroll in the music program at Kyoto University of Arts now, what classes would you like to take? A. I would like to study music theory. I can say this with confidence, even though I haven’t done it myself. You can make music without understanding the theory. But it’s probably more fun to make music after understanding it. ■Reactions after the event and preview of the next episode After the event, many reactions were received on social media, such as, “The discussion was so deep that time flew by,” and “Kudo’s words made me want to start DTM.” In response to this reaction, Kyoto University of the Arts will be holding an “Online Trial Class, Allowing You to Experience Art University Learning from the Comfort of Home” starting on Saturday, November 8th. In the Music Course, we welcome Junji Ishiwata, a leading lyricist and music producer, to hold a special class on the simple yet profound theme of “What is songwriting?” Through a conversation with Hiroshi Egawa, a faculty member and lyricist, students can experience the charm and depth of the world of
songwriting from a professional perspective that is rarely heard. In addition, all 22 learning experiences are available free of charge from anywhere in the country.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/26069/604/26069-604-230f9bcd124b5ef346014dd2ae797f72-1929×2700.jpg Junji Ishiwatari Lyricist and music producer. He debuted as a member of SUPERCAR, and after the band disbanded, he worked as a lyricist for numerous artists across genres, including Superfly, Little Glee Monster, and King & Prince, and as a music producer for Chatmonchy, flumpool, and OKAMOTO’S. To date, he has been involved in the production of over 700 songs, including theme songs for numerous films, dramas, and anime. He will serve as a lecturer in the university’s music course, which will open in April 2026. [One-day Autumn Trial Enrollment Offering an Online Experience of Full-Scale Learning at an Art University] Kyoto University of the Arts’ Correspondence Education Department is offering online classes that allow you to experience the “22 Learnings” from the comfort of your own home, anywhere in the country. A “Music Course” is also available, starting in April 2026. If you’re unsure which department or course to choose, you can apply for multiple courses. This is highly recommended for those interested in enrolling and wanting to know what classes and teachers are available. ■ Event overview Date and Time: Saturday, November 8, 2025 – Friday, November 14, 2025, and Sunday, November 16, 2025, 10:00-10:30, 1:30-3:00, 7:00-8:30 PM *Varies by course Format: Online (Zoom webinar) / Free to participate Capacity: 1,000 people per session (first come, first served) Special website:
https://www.kyoto-art.ac.jp/t/briefing/1day-autumn/ Guest lecturers: Ishiwatari Junji (Music Course), Sugar Fukurou (Illustration Course), Kuroyanagi Teppei (Video Course), Orui Tomoki (Food Culture Design Course) *Titles omitted ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ ⬛︎ About Kyoto University of Arts As one of Japan’s largest art universities, our educational institution attracts over 23,000 highly motivated students of diverse ages from both Japan and overseas, combining on-campus and correspondence courses. We cultivate skills needed in society through the arts. Our educational goal is to create an “arts-based nation” where art students can change society. In our on-campus courses, we promote art education with a particular emphasis on the relationship between society and art. We carry out over 100 “social implementation projects” annually, in which students use the power of art and design to solve challenges facing companies, local governments, and other organizations. Through cross-disciplinary group work and actual work, we cultivate creative individuals with social skills. Address: 2-116 Uryuyama-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 606-8271 URL: https://www.kyoto-art.ac.jp/