Yo Goto is recognized as one of the leading composers and arrangers in the United States and Japan. Recently, his works have been performed at the conventions of CBDNA, TBA, FMEA, and at The Midwest Clinic. Goto received his B. M. E. degree from Yamagata University, Japan, and studied composition with Shin-ichiro Ikebe at the Tokyo College of Music, completing a Performance Diploma Course. Having been active as a composer, arranger, and clinician in Japan until 2001, he moved to Texas to study with Cindy McTee at the University of North Texas. He holds a M.M. in composition and a M.M.E. from UNT.

Goto is also considered a distinguished educator and researcher in the field of wind music. He frequently writes and lectures on the topics of selecting music for school band programs and the educational goals of band teaching. He has discussed new American and European wind literature with Japanese band directors at every level for over ten years, and his information is recognized as an educational standard in Japan. For excellence in clinics and wind literature research, Goto received the Academy Award from the Academic Society of Japan for Winds and Band in 2000. He also won the second place of the Contest for a Solo Harp Composition of the 2006 USA International Harp Competition.