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

Xiaoyi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Honestly, although I was passionate about music from a young age, I never imagined I could work in the music industry. I always assumed I would grow up like my peers, enjoying a carefree youth and eventually settling into a conventional life.

However, during my sophomore year of high school, one day I was having breakfast with my father, and we were discussing my grades and future career aspirations. Suddenly, my father asked, “Do you want to study music? I know you love music, and I’ve heard that a career in music can be quite rewarding.”

He asked this for several reasons. First, he knew very well how deeply I was fascinated by music. Second, he was aware that with my grades, I would likely end up in a decent but not top-tier university. Third, a former classmate of his who had worked in the music industry mentioned that if you do well in this field, you can live a very good life.

That was the first time I seriously considered whether I should pursue a career in music. I was nervous because it concerned the trajectory of my life. After returning to school, I thought about it day and night for an entire week.

When I came home, I gave my father a firm answer: YES, I want to make music for the rest of my life!

Therefore, the main reasons I chose this career path are my love for music, the fulfillment of my desire to express myself, my parents’ unwavering support, and my aspiration to live an extraordinary and unique life.

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?

The reason I decided to study music is quite simple: First, I didn’t want to live a predictable, conformist life. Second, I knew that if I didn’t pursue music professionally, I would regret it for the rest of my life. What has supported me throughout my journey is pure and unending passion for music. This passion is like an eternal flame that continuously fuels my drive. Whether in the toughest times or in seemingly hopeless situations, I have kept moving forward. So I can proudly and firmly say that if my high school self saw where I am today, they would be proud. I truly am living the dream.

I wouldn’t say I’ve completely “made it” in the music industry, but I am able to create and produce music professionally within specific styles and genres. This is thanks to years of formal training at music conservatories, participation in music composition competitions, reading classical scores, listening to masterworks, and performing in various events.

Currently, I am primarily working as a Film, TV, and Video Game media composer, having gained extensive experience and wonderful memories from composing for films, TV shows, and video games. However, my work isn’t limited to scoring. I am also a professional arranger/producer, creating music for pop songs, musicals, and music variety shows. I believe my musical expression is nuanced and sincere, a quality derived not only from professional practice but also from an increasingly evident ability to empathize. Being highly sensitive since childhood, I easily feel others’ joys and sorrows, and I have a good sense of storylines in various narratives. Therefore, I often drop all other labels and call myself a storyteller—only I tell stories through music.

Moreover, I have a very inclusive approach to music. This has led me to explore and appreciate various musical styles. In hindsight, this is a good trait because whether arranging, scoring, or composing serious music, understanding and mastering different musical styles is crucial. For example, the music in a film cannot convey just one emotion. As a professional modern composer, it’s beneficial to understand Debussy’s musical language while also knowing how to create a funky groove. So, I can proudly say that I am a well-rounded modern composer and producer.

At the same time, I feel that I am getting closer to finding my own voice. Through years of learning and accumulating experience, I have gradually found the musical language I like and frequently use. By combining the language of the masters with my own experiments, a unique style and language that belongs to me is becoming more mature. I believe this is distinctive. It means that anyone who collaborates with me will ultimately receive music that is special and carries my unique musical imprint.

As a result, my clients and fans can always hear unique, genre-blending music from me. There are no boundaries between classical and modern, nor between pop, jazz, and rock. Everything merges into my music.

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

For me, music is a way to connect and communicate with others through its own unique language. The reason music is so distinctive and captivates so many people is that it is a language in itself. Music can uniquely convey a wide range of emotions, stories, concepts, ideas, and feelings. I always feel that music acts as a bridge—it can connect hearts in the darkest times and offer companionship in moments of solitude. Over the years working in music, I’ve found that most of the friendships, love, praise, and criticism I’ve received—all these precious human connections—are thanks to the magic of music. Music prevents us from being isolated individuals.

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

When I chose to make music my lifelong career, my goal has always been to enjoy, create, and share music at the highest level. For me, failing to achieve this in my lifetime would mean I have not succeeded. As I get closer to this goal, my focus has not changed, but my ambitions have expanded. I now aim to ensure that more people can enjoy high-quality music and have the opportunity to create their own music. To achieve this goal, I plan to become a teacher at some point in my life and, when I gain more influence, work to transform the industry. For example, we should assign work to capable individuals, regardless of their gender, race, skin color, or religious beliefs. I hope to use music to help make the world a more united and loving place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.xiaoyiyingmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xiaoyi.darcy_music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darcy.ying/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@xiaoyiyingmusic?si=-Dakshex8HUeP6rP

Image Credits

Christian Amonson, Sunyou Kim