We were lucky to catch up with Y. Jay Lai recently and have shared our conversation below.

Y. Jay, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I began learning piano at age five in Taiwan, establishing a foundation of discipline and technique early on. At twelve, I added the guzheng—a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument—to my studies, choosing music as my major from middle school onward. While classical piano strengthened my foundational skills, the improvisational aspect of guzheng opened me to a freer, more expressive approach to music. My studies in guzheng took me across Taiwan and mainland China, ultimately leading to a bachelor’s degree in guzheng performance from the National Taiwan University of Arts.

As my music career took off, I joined the China Found Music Workshop. Simultaneously, I sought ways to make Chinese culture resonate more broadly by collaborating with diverse artists, blending tradition with contemporary perspectives. This journey led me to the ensemble IIIZ+, where I performed alongside musicians from the U.S., Germany, Japan, and Korea. Although we brought different languages and musical heritages, English—and music itself—served as our shared language. This experience sparked my interest in the dialogue of cross-cultural communication through music, eventually guiding me to complete a master’s degree in musicology at Taipei National University of the Arts (NTUA).

In addition to performing, I served as an assistant researcher at TNUA, focusing on Taiwanese indigenous music and assisting with the Asia-Pacific Traditional Arts Festival. These roles deepened my interest in ethnomusicology, particularly how musicians’ identities shift in regional, national, and global contexts—especially as they navigate localization and globalization. This passion ultimately led me to pursue a PhD in ethnomusicology at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.

Y. Jay, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a guzheng player, I am enthusiastic about exploring the connection between traditional art and contemporary life. I enjoy playing the guzheng in diverse musical styles, ranging from traditional Chinese music to classical, folk, pop, jazz, and rock. Collaborating with contemporary artists, I have incorporated innovative acoustic effects, such as “prepared” guzheng, and electronic sonic effects into my musical performances and theatrical presentations. My solo album, Transformation—Contemporary Taiwanese Zheng Music, was nominated for the Best Folk Music Album at the Golden Melody Awards (Taiwan’s equivalent of the Grammys), showcasing the evolution of Chinese tradition in modern Taiwan.
I have performed internationally to promote Chinese music and cross-cultural performances, appearing at art and cultural festivals and museums, including significant events like UNESCO’s World Heritage Festival in Germany. Additionally, I have given lectures and served as an artist in residence at universities. Through my music, I aim to foster an openness to the beauty of different cultures and spark connections beyond words. To me, music is more than just sound; it’s a way to bring people together and give life meaning.

In addition to guzheng, I teach ukulele to share the Aloha spirit and promote a healthy lifestyle. Having lived in Hawaii while pursuing my PhD, it has become a second home to me. During that time, I developed a balanced lifestyle through practices like ukulele playing, meditation, and horseback riding, which continue to nurture my spirit to this day. In my ukulele classes, I guide participants to listen to their bodies and minds, empowering them to create their own sounds. By fostering active musical participation, I help cultivate their artistic creativity and inspire them to spread joy to those around them.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, living as an artist is a blessing because it allows me to see the most genuine side of people. Although this doesn’t happen all the time, when those genuine connections do occur, I witness the most beautiful aspects of human nature—kindness and generosity. People give their time and energy with the Aloha spirit, and in those moments, I realize that I am living in abundance. From this place of abundance, I live and create, spreading kindness and making the world a better place.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

During COVID, I realized that nothing is more important than physical and mental health. This awareness now shapes the mission of my creative journey. I’m inspired by the link between the traditional Chinese characters for music (樂) and medicine (藥). The shared character, 樂 (lè or yuè), conveys joy and harmony, symbolizing how music can bring comfort and balance. Guided by this insight, my vision is to use music to enhance people’s well-being and promote social harmony.

Contact Info:

• Website: jaylaimusic.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/thejaylai
• Facebook: facebook.com/thejaylai
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/thejaylai
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jaylai

Image Credits
Solo Photos (ocean): Shiyi Wang IIIZ+ Photo: Jing-Hu Lin