Open to opportunities

Kazuki Oya

@kazukioya

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Native Japanese AI Evaluator & Audio Specialist | Bilingual (TOEIC 950) | Expert in Linguistic QA

Japan

Message

What I'm looking for

Seeking high-stakes AI Evaluation & RLHF roles where precision is paramount. Leveraging the uncompromising discipline of a Carnegie Hall musician, I apply acute auditory/linguistic sensitivity to eliminate hallucinations. I specialize in analyzing complex Japanese nuances, tone, and logic to ensure strict guideline compliance for top-tier models.

I am a Japanese language evaluation specialist with native-level Japanese and advanced English (TOEIC 950, CEFR C1), combining university teaching and AI evaluation experience to deliver consistent, guideline-driven judgments and clear actionable feedback. I evaluate AI-generated Japanese speech and text for linguistic accuracy, naturalness, prosody, politeness, and cultural appropriateness, drawing on rigorous rubric application and high-volume comparative assessment.

My background includes long-term adjudication in music competitions and performance as an orchestral associate principal percussionist, which has honed my ability to make fine-grained distinctions under time pressure and maintain sustained concentration and consistency. I bring pedagogically grounded feedback from university lecturing and practical communication experience from call-center work, focused on pragmatic appropriateness and learner-centered guidance.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

AI Rater

Current

Productive Playhouse

Nov 2025 - Present (2 months)

Performs high-volume comparative evaluations of AI-generated Japanese and bilingual outputs, assessing correctness, clarity, tone, prosody, and guideline compliance to deliver consistent, actionable judgments.

Quality Assurance Attention To Detail

Current

Adjunct Lecturer

Current

Sapporo Otani University

Jan 2018 - Present (8 years)

Teach university-level courses and evaluate student performance, providing structured, pedagogically grounded feedback tailored to learner needs and language development.

Curriculum Design Feedback Academic Instruction Japanese Language Pedagogy Lesson planning Classroom Management

Current

Music Competition Adjudicator

Current

Independent

Jan 2015 - Present (11 years)

Evaluated over 2,000 ensemble performances using strict criteria-based scoring systems, producing objective written justifications and making fine-grained distinctions under time constraints.

Adjudication Critical Listening

Current

Associate Principal Percussionist

Current

Sapporo Symphony Orchestra

Jan 2011 - Present (15 years)

Performed in over 1,500 professional concerts requiring exceptional precision, sustained concentration, and sensitivity to subtle timing, balance, and acoustic variation.

Orchestral Performance Acoustic Sensitivity Precision Concentration Repertoire Preparation

Japanese Language Expert

Mercor

Jan 2025 - Dec 2025 (11 months)

Evaluated linguistic quality, cultural appropriateness, tone, and consistency across complex Japanese-language tasks to ensure accurate and context-appropriate AI outputs.

Tone Evaluation Consistency Ensuring Honorifics Register Control Feedback Drafting

Call Center Representative

Benesse / Shinken Zemi

Jan 2024 - Dec 2025 (1 year 11 months)

Handled outbound communications with parents and students about study progress, applying respectful/humble Japanese forms and providing structured educational guidance.

Educational Guidance Outbound Communications Respectful Japanese (Keigo)Quality Controlled Communication Documentation Empathy

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Boston University

Master of Music, Music

2008 - 2010

Activities and societies: Tanglewood Music Center Fellow (2009) & PMF Alumnus: Selected for these prestigious international music academies.

First Prize, Italy International Percussion Competition (2009): Awarded 1st place in the Timpani category, demonstrating world-class technical precision.
Studied with Timothy Genis (Principal Timpanist, Boston Symphony Orchestra).

New England Conservatory

Bachelor of Music, Music

2004 - 2008

Activities and societies: Carnegie Hall Performance (2007): Selected to perform at Carnegie Hall with the NEC Percussion Ensemble.

Avedis Zildjian Percussion Scholarship (2006): Recipient of this prestigious scholarship recognizing exceptional talent.

Studied with Frank Epstein (Boston Symphony Orchestra).