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

Qian, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My journey towards becoming a composer began during my high school years. At the time, I was primarily a pianist, but one day, I found myself pondering a simple yet profound question: What would it be like if someone else were to perform my music?

Driven by curiosity, I attempted to compose my first piece on traditional sheet music, emulating Mozart. This sparked a creative journey that soon led me to my first production experience on my iPad, using GarageBand. I vividly remember creating an electronic dance track, and the sense of accomplishment that came with completing it was overwhelming. It was then that I realized I was bringing something into existence that had never been in the world before—a unique and exhilarating feeling.

In addition to my passion for music, I have always been an avid movie enthusiast. I frequently played movie themes on the piano, inspired by the emotions they evoked. One day, I decided to mute the movie’s original soundtrack and let the visuals guide me as I composed my own music on the piano. Though this was just an experiment, it completely absorbed me, and for the first time, I felt the thrill of being deeply immersed in something I loved.

That experience solidified my path—I knew that creating music was not just a fleeting interest but my greatest passion and the career I wanted to pursue.

Qian, 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?

My musical journey began at the age of five with classical piano. Over the years, I discovered that my true calling was not just performing but composing, which led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Music Design and Production at Zhejiang Conservatory of Music. During my undergraduate studies, I developed a deep interest in scoring for films and video games, which inspired me to further my education at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, focusing on Media Scoring and Production.

As a composer and music producer, my skill set extends across various genres, including pop, electronic music, and scoring for visual media. I am also proficient in recording and mixing, which allows me to shape my creative vision from conception to completion. I thrive on embracing new ideas and pushing the boundaries of my work. With the rapid advancements in contemporary music production technology, I see the constant evolution of my technical skills as an essential part of my craft. No one knows what technical challenges tomorrow may bring—whether it’s related to software or hardware—but for me, overcoming these challenges is a fundamental part of my journey.

Creating impactful music is my ultimate goal, not merely the pursuit of monetary gain. I hold my professional expertise as paramount, and my work has been recognized with several international composition awards, including the IEMC and the Danny Awards. My day-to-day work revolves around sitting at my desk, composing, with my speakers and computer as the gateway to all the worlds in my imagination.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As a media composer, there are times when I spend an entire week crafting a piece of music, only to have collaborators request a complete rewrite. This can be disheartening, especially considering the significant time and effort invested. However, it is during these moments that my ideals and goals help me regain my focus. My primary objective is to enhance the visual narrative and collaborate with the director to present the best possible experience for the audience, rather than solely showcasing my own ideas.

Sometimes, a single piece of music undergoes revisions for months, with previous concepts being reimagined and reworked. Flexibility and perseverance are key in this process. As a music producer, I view software and hardware as my essential tools. Yet, technical challenges are inevitable—whether it’s a corrupted project file, a failed library load, or a sudden computer crash just before a looming deadline. These are some of the most daunting situations any producer faces.

Despite these difficulties, as a professional, I must remain composed and patient in troubleshooting these issues. Ultimately, my responsibility is to deliver a final product that satisfies my collaborators. The journey, no matter how challenging or complex, isn’t the focus; what truly matters is producing a piece of audio that aligns with the shared vision.

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

As a creator, I believe the most rewarding aspect is crafting work that resonates with people. Every artist aspires to have their creations make a meaningful impact. For instance, in film scoring, my goal is to help audiences immerse themselves deeply in the story, allowing them to escape from their own worries, even if just for a moment. That sense of connection and emotional engagement is profoundly fulfilling.

In the realm of game music, the rewards extend even further. If a game soundtrack can evoke powerful emotions or provide an enjoyable, memorable experience, it brings a unique sense of accomplishment not only to me but to the entire game development team. Knowing that our work can uplift others or create joy makes the creative journey incredibly meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Other: https://space.bilibili.com/252877424

  https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/6660e76800000000070066ba

Image Credits

Pictures provided by myself