We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful YU SHI. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with YU below.
YU, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
In my lexicon, is a pleasantly commonplace term, easily accessible because I define it with simplicity. Rather than tethering it to the outcomes of grand events, I posit that success should be gauged by a sequence of modest achievements culminating in a significant accomplishment. Consider the scenario where my objective is to compose music for a 2-and-a-half-hour Broadway show; in this context, my initial one-minute string duo marks a success, the inaugural ten-minute woodwind quintet is another triumph, and the completion of a 30-minute orchestral piece constitutes a major victory. Each of these incremental milestones paves the way toward the overarching goal.
Adopting this perspective empowers me to realize success before reaching the ultimate objective. This mindset is pivotal to me because acknowledging my worth and the diligence I invest becomes a frequent practice, fostering heightened confidence and steadfastness. I’ve observed this approach in the journeys of numerous successful artists and entrepreneurs. Their success is evident from the outset, fueled by a continuous pursuit of smaller goals that accumulate invaluable experience, providing a solid foundation for tackling larger endeavors. Notably, this trajectory is not always contingent on their background; it hinges on a deliberate, step-by-step approach, marked by the celebration of each minor triumph along the way.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Originally hailing from China, my upbringing unfolded within the nurturing embrace of an incredibly supportive family. My journey with music commenced at the tender age of five when I first touched the piano keys, marking the onset of a profound connection with the musical realm that has since become an integral part of my life.
Venturing to the United States, I pursued a Master’s in Science of Finance degree at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Post-graduation, I made the move to New York City, immersing myself in the finance field. The pinnacle of this professional trajectory led me to Goldman Sachs, widely acclaimed as the premier investment bank globally. The Wall Street experience proved exhilarating, fostering collaboration with exceptionally talented professionals who upheld rigorous standards. My tenure at Goldman Sachs equipped me with invaluable knowledge, fortified my financial acumen, and honed critical transferrable skills essential for navigating the business landscape.
Yet, amid the dynamic world of finance, I discovered a yearning for creative expression that the corporate realm could not fully accommodate. Post-long office hours, I embarked on a dual journey, attending night classes at the renowned Juilliard School to delve into music composition under the guidance of the inspiring Dr. Raymond Lustig. His encouragement to embrace new adventures, face failure without fear, and continually evolve resonated deeply with me. Although exciting music projects beckoned, the constraints of a full-time job limited my ability to pursue them fully.
With a courageous leap, I bid farewell to my position at Goldman Sachs and relocated to Los Angeles, fueled by a fervent aspiration to realize my dream as a music composer. Serendipitously, my path intersected with the founders of Pantawit Music Production (PMP) during a UCLA music business class, and our collaborative journey commenced.
PMP embodies a collective of exceptional music composers, musicians, editors, and business professionals. Together, we craft bespoke, high-quality music for diverse mediums, including films, TV series, video games, and events. The collaborative spirit is a testament to our shared love and passion for music, fostering a dynamic and enriching creative process.
In the vibrant landscape of Los Angeles, I have composed music for short films, feature films, TV shows, and podcasts. Simultaneously, my concert compositions have graced live performances in New York City and Italy.
Bridging my interdisciplinary background with my artistic pursuits, my objective extends beyond self-expression to fostering social awareness and sharing compelling ideas through the medium of music. Examples from my repertoire include compositions inspired by multiple universes, global temperature trends, gravitational waves, and Bitcoin prices.
For more insights into my projects, please visit my website at www.yushimusic.com.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Originally hailing from China, my upbringing unfolded within the nurturing embrace of an incredibly supportive family. My journey with music commenced at the tender age of five when I first touched the piano keys, marking the onset of a profound connection with the musical realm that has since become an integral part of my life.
Venturing to the United States, I pursued a Master’s in Science of Finance degree at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Post-graduation, I made the move to New York City, immersing myself in the finance field. The pinnacle of this professional trajectory led me to Goldman Sachs, widely acclaimed as the premier investment bank globally. The Wall Street experience proved exhilarating, fostering collaboration with exceptionally talented professionals who upheld rigorous standards. My tenure at Goldman Sachs equipped me with invaluable knowledge, fortified my financial acumen, and honed critical transferrable skills essential for navigating the business landscape.
Yet, amid the dynamic world of finance, I discovered a yearning for creative expression that the corporate realm could not fully accommodate. Post-long office hours, I embarked on a dual journey, attending night classes at the renowned Juilliard School to delve into music composition under the guidance of the inspiring Dr. Raymond Lustig. His encouragement to embrace new adventures, face failure without fear, and continually evolve resonated deeply with me. Although exciting music projects beckoned, the constraints of a full-time job limited my ability to pursue them fully.
With a courageous leap, I bid farewell to my position at Goldman Sachs and relocated to Los Angeles, fueled by a fervent aspiration to realize my dream as a music composer. Serendipitously, my path intersected with the founders of Pantawit Music Production (PMP) during a UCLA music business class, and our collaborative journey commenced.
PMP embodies a collective of exceptional music composers, musicians, editors, and business professionals. Together, we craft bespoke, high-quality music for diverse mediums, including films, TV series, video games, and events. The collaborative spirit is a testament to our shared love and passion for music, fostering a dynamic and enriching creative process.
In the vibrant landscape of Los Angeles, I have composed music for short films, feature films, TV shows, and podcasts. Simultaneously, my concert compositions have graced live performances in New York City and Italy.
Bridging my interdisciplinary background with my artistic pursuits, my objective extends beyond self-expression to fostering social awareness and sharing compelling ideas through the medium of music. Examples from my repertoire include compositions inspired by multiple universes, global temperature trends, gravitational waves, and Bitcoin prices.
For more insights into my projects, please visit my website at www.yushimusic.com.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Leaving behind the world of finance, I found myself amidst playful banter, with voices musing about my potential descent into the archetype of a struggling artist, scraping for bus fare. The irony deepened at a music festival, where classical enthusiasts, upon learning of my financial background, declared me an outsider in the realm of musicians. These encounters were more than moments; they were revelations about how people huddle in their respective groups, adhering to established thought patterns. Despite rubbing shoulders with brilliant minds across diverse fields, I’ve always felt like an outlier. Yet, this “outsider” status is my strength. It allows me to perceive the world from various vantage points, unleashing my creativity without bounds. I leverage this interdisciplinary background to break down societal stereotypes, using the universal language of music as my medium.
In this musical journey, my compositions draw inspiration from authentic scientific events. Consider “Crypto Wave,” an auditory expression of the tumultuous bitcoin rollercoaster in 2017, or “Ylem Machine,” where daily temperatures become a haunting melody, a poignant reflection of global warming’s impact. “Lego’s Ear” commemorates the historic moment humanity detected gravitational waves, and most recently, a 10-minute string quartet delves into the intriguing concept of multiple universes.
Beyond musical notes, my aim is personal and profound: to foster genuine connections, enhance understanding of our world, and dismantle the invisible barriers that keep us apart.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yushimusic.com
- Instagram: yushi_composer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yushicomposer/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yu-shi-4164281a/