Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shihan Lin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Shihan, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I believe that for creators, the ability to express their thoughts and insights about life through art is a profoundly fulfilling experience. Having a public platform to share and showcase one’s artistic work is an opportunity that many who are not engaged in the performing arts may find hard to attain. At the same time, I think that having a regular job does not necessarily conflict with full-time artistic creation. In fact, artistic endeavors often require material drawn from life, which serves as the foundation for our observations and creations.

The stories between people, as well as our interactions within society, are essential sources of inspiration for artistic creation. Through a job, we can immerse ourselves in diverse communities and fields, observing the lives of various individuals. This not only provides rich material for our creations but also helps broaden our perspectives and deepen our understanding of society. Such observations and experiences can, in turn, enrich our work, making our art more authentic and profound. Therefore, balancing a regular job with artistic creation not only supports personal economic stability but also offers new inspiration and viewpoints for our art.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Shihan Lin is a producer, performing artist and music educator pursuing a Master of Music Education & Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship & Leadership at the University of Michigan. In recent years, she has dedicated herself to producing shows that integrate music, theatre and interactive installation into public education and explore the endless possibilities of vocal music.

Web:https://chaamlam.wixsite.com/my-site-72

Educational musical theatre
Since 2018, she has been a valued collaborator with the Macao Chinese Orchestra, producing and performing a range of family musical theatre productions, including “Journey to the West: The Musical Magic Wand Prequel” and “Strings Journey to the West.” Additionally, she also produced and performed “Musical Legacy,” an educational initiative commissioned by the Macao Cultural Affairs Bureau, promoting Chinese music concerts at various K-12 schools across Macao. Her work continues to enrich the cultural landscape of the region, making classical music accessible and engaging for younger audiences.

Water Singers Vocal Ensemble
She is the performer and artistic director of the Water Singers Vocal Ensemble, a non-profit a cappella musical theatre troupe based in Macao, China. The group was awarded Best Original Music of the Year at the 2022 A Cappella China Beehive Awards and received a Special Award at the 2016 VAF Asian Cup A Cappella Competition. Their production, “A Cappella Soundscape Theatre: Picturesque,” has successfully toured 21 performances across Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao. The ensemble has also gained recognition through invitations to perform at prestigious events such as the Performing Arts Meeting in Yokohama (2018), the Setouchi Triennale (2019), the Vocal Asia Festival (2017 & 2022), the Macao Arts Festival, and the 20th Anniversary Cultural Gala for President Xi Jinping

Vocal Coach
With extensive experience in performance and teaching, she is frequently invited to serve as a vocal coach and workshop lecturer for various productions. She has presented workshops at prestigious events such as the Asian Vocal Music Festival, Guangzhou Grand Theatre, and the Shenzhen Shekou Vocal Arts Festival. Her notable projects include directing the National Arts Foundation’s musical “Xian Xing Hai,” coaching the Macau Dancers Studio’s original musical “I Am a Singer” during its Greater Bay Area tour, and providing vocal coaching for the children’s musical play “Wa Wa Fantasia” at Academia de Música S. Pio X and Comuna de Pedra.

Installation Art
A passionate advocate for boundaryless art, she collaborates with visual artists to create innovative sound installations. Her work includes the sound piece “Allegory of Dreams,” showcased at the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia with YiiMa’ Art Group. In 2024, she joined forces with ink painter Cindy Ng Sio Ieng as a singer and dancer for the interactive installation “Time.Machine”.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

A work of art is a bridge of dialogue between people, it transforms the parts that cannot be spoken in life into a work that becomes a more beautiful language.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The process of producing a show is always a constant struggle to dismantle the difficulties. Always believe that you will get this right and move forward with faith. At the same time, be brave enough to ask for help from those around you, share your dilemmas, and work together to accumulate solutions to your problems.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chaamlam.wixsite.com/my-site-72
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cham_173/
• Facebook: Shihan Lin