Japanese mezzo-soprano Marie Kobayashi. Studies at the Tokyo Geijutsu University where she gained a Master's Degree. She moved permanently to Paris in 1982. In 1987 she won the Prix d'art lyrique and in 1989 obtained the Prix d'interprétation de Musique vocale ancienne. Since 1993 she has held a doctorate from the Tokyo Geijutsu University for her thesis on the songs of Olivier Messiaen. Kobajashi has won numerous international prizes.