We recently connected with Qianqian Jin and have shared our conversation below.

Qianqian , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

I earned my first dollar as a creative while studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. After taking a semester of sound design, where I learned how to craft sound effects for film, I had the idea to create my own sample library using my Guzheng, a Chinese classical zither. Excited about the potential, I shared my idea with my sound design teacher, Dren McDonald, who introduced me to Impact Soundworks, a well-known sample library company.
That summer, I spent countless hours in my school’s professional recording studio, meticulously capturing over 40GB of Guzheng samples. I still remember the feeling of joy and validation when I received my first paycheck—it was more than just money; it was proof that my creativity had value. That moment was special, not only because I saw a path toward a sustainable career in music, but also because this sample library made it possible for composers and producers to integrate the sound of my Guzheng into their work digitally, without needing onsite or remote studio recordings.
If you’re curious to explore it, you can check it out Plectra Series 5: Guzheng.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, my name is Qianqian, I’m a Guzheng (Chinese zither) player, recording artist, and recently getting into DJ. My work is best known for soloist of video game theme tracks for Mortal Kombat 11, MK1, Fortnite’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the Netflix series Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight. I recently collaborated with the grammy reward composer Gordy Habb and recorded my Guzheng performance into a Chinese block buster, named Creation of God II. This movie was premiered recently in China and LA. I’m passionate about modernizing folk music by blending it with new genres, expanding its reach to a broader audience. My latest release is my first piano & vocal EP. This song was written during a really emotional time in my life when I had to be apart from Qina, my sweet little Pomsky. It captures a lot of the love and longing I felt, and I hope that, in some way, these emotions resonates with you too. Hear more at:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/qjin/dogsick

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is deeply personal—it’s about breathing new life into tradition and finding harmony between the past and the future. The Guzheng carries centuries of stories in its strings, and I want to give those stories a new space to exist—within the pulse of techno, in the energy of a dance floor, in the shared experience of sound.
For me, this isn’t just about blending genres; it’s about expanding the reach of traditional music, making it feel alive and relevant in a modern world. I want people to feel the raw emotion and organic expressiveness of the Guzheng in spaces where they might not expect it—to let it resonate in the bass, the rhythm, the movement. Through this, I hope to create a sonic experience that feels both ancient and futuristic, familiar and unknown, weaving together cultures and time through music.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the most rewarding moments in my artistic journey is when I see the raw emotions my music evokes in people. There have been times after a performance when an audience member walked up to me with tears in their eyes, telling me, ‘When you played, I felt something deep inside me—something I couldn’t put into words. Your music made me feel seen.’ Moments like these remind me why I create.
The ability to connect with strangers—not through words, but through melodies, rhythms, and sound—is something truly special. Whether it’s through a meditative improvisation that soothes the soul or a groovy beat that gets people moving, knowing that my music can elevate someone’s day is what fulfills me most. When people vibe with my sound and feel good, I do too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.qjin.xyz
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qjin_guzheng/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyjin
• Other: Spotify:
  
  Apple Music:
  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/qjin/1758035992
  Guzheng Sample Library: Plectra Series 5 Guzheng
  https://impactsoundworks.com/product/plectra-series-5-guzheng/?srsltid=AfmBOopM43xuQpGfaRZuF4UvMCk9mG8ZPNBxQLS-HhXS4rv9iZitP1ZQ

Image Credits

Anaiah Simons – photographer