Yoko K. Sen

Yoko K. Sen is an award-winning ambient electronic musician and the founder of Sen Sound, a social enterprise dedicated to improving the sound environment in hospitals. Her unique work was inspired by her own experience as a patient. After a successful career as a composer and performer, she became seriously ill in 2014 and had to spend time in the hospital. While there, she was deeply bothered by the constant noise—alarms, machinery, and loud conversations. This experience made her realize how much sound affects a person’s well-being and sense of dignity, especially when they are sick and vulnerable. This led her to create Sen Sound, an organization working with hospitals to design calming, more peaceful soundscapes. Her goal is to replace jarring noises with soothing sounds, creating a more healing environment for both patients and staff. Yoko has been an artist-in-residence at several prestigious institutions, including Johns Hopkins and Stanford MedicineX. She has received numerous awards for her work, including a Halcyon Incubator Fellowship. Her project, “My Last Sound,” was also recognized for its focus on creating a dignified sound experience for people at the end of their lives.