We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Xiaoyi Ying. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Xiaoyi below.
Xiaoyi, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
For me, creativity stays alive through curiosity and variety. I don’t like staying in one lane musically. I’m always exploring different styles, instruments, and projects. One week I might be writing orchestral music for a film. The next I’m producing a retro inspired pop track or experimenting with sound textures for a video game. That constant shift keeps things fresh and exciting.
I also try to stay connected to the world beyond music. Reading, watching films, taking walks, talking with friends, or even just observing small details in daily life. These moments often spark unexpected ideas. I think creativity isn’t something you chase. It’s something you invite by being present and open.
And honestly, sometimes just showing up and working even when I don’t feel inspired is what leads to breakthroughs. I treat my creativity like a craft. The more consistently I practice, the more room there is for inspiration to visit.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hi, I’m Xiaoyi Ying (应孝毅). I’m a composer, arranger, producer, and score mixer working across film, television, video games, pop music production, and musical theater. My work centers around storytelling through sound, creating music that connects emotionally and supports the story in a meaningful way.
What excites me most is the variety of roles I take on. As a media composer, I focus on capturing the emotional truth of a story. I work closely with directors and creative teams to write music that supports the arc of a scene, blending orchestral writing, synth textures, and sound design to bring each moment to life.
As a concert composer, it’s about freedom and self-expression. I explore my personal voice and write for highly skilled performers in a concert setting, often blending tradition with experimentation to push sonic boundaries in a more abstract, intimate way.
As an arranger, I make sure every sound is crafted with care. I spend time refining rhythm sections, recording live instruments, and shaping vocal parts to meet the highest production standards. Every detail matters, both musically and sonically.
As a producer, I work closely with artists, clients, musicians, and contractors. It’s about communication and creative trust—guiding a team to bring ideas to life and making sure the final product is honest and powerful.
As a score mixer, I listen deeply to bring out clarity, emotion, and balance. Mixing is about shaping the music to sound its best while staying true to its purpose. It’s a quiet but creative part of the process that often completes the story.
Some recent highlights include composing the score for the film All These Years, which reached millions of viewers in China, and contributing original music to the game AFK Journey, which has been downloaded more than 12 million times globally. I also served as lead arranger and producer on the jukebox musical I Want You, which toured 19 cities and received over 100 million views across social media. That project gave me a chance to blend pop music with live performance and connect with a large audience in a powerful way.
Right now, I’m arranging and producing new music for indie pop and R&B artist Tong Yubo, whose upcoming album combines retro elements with a modern feel. I also recently collaborated with Grammy-winning artist Carla Patullo on her new ambient and choral album, where I worked as recording engineer and editor. The project is set to release later this year.
My work is built on emotional clarity, cultural awareness, and collaboration. Whether I’m writing, arranging, producing, or mixing, I want to help people feel something real. I believe music is one of the most powerful ways to connect, and I feel lucky to be part of that process every day.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three Most Important Qualities, Skills and/or Areas of Knowledge
Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful things in my journey so far have been emotional sensitivity, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate well with others.
Emotional sensitivity is at the heart of everything I do. As a composer, especially in film and media, you have to feel what the story is asking for and translate that into sound. It’s not just about writing good music, but understanding emotion, timing, and human connection. For those starting out, I’d say trust your instincts, but also spend time learning how emotion works—through film, conversation, and life itself.
Attention to detail is something I’ve developed more and more over time, especially as an arranger and mixer. The difference between a good cue and a great one often comes down to subtle things—how a bass note supports the harmony, how clean a vocal blend is, or how the reverb tail shapes the emotion of a scene. My advice: don’t rush. Develop your ear, and don’t be afraid to go back and refine your work again and again.
Collaboration is something I value deeply. Whether I’m working with a director, a songwriter, or a vocalist, so much of the creative process is built on trust, communication, and respect. You’re not just writing music—you’re helping someone else bring their vision to life. For younger artists, I’d say learn to listen just as much as you speak, and take your time to understand what your collaborators really want.
All three of these qualities are things I’m still learning and refining every day. That’s part of what keeps the work exciting.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
A lot of people say you should focus on just one thing, develop your strongest skill, and make that your brand. And I get it. In this industry, people often hire you for the one thing they believe you’re best at. But in my experience, especially in today’s creative world, it’s becoming more and more important to be well-rounded and versatile.
Technology has changed everything. With the tools we have now, one person can do the work that used to take a whole team. If you’re a composer, you’re also expected to know how to produce, arrange, record, and sometimes even mix your own music. If you’re an artist, you’re likely managing your own sessions, demos, and deliverables. I’ve rarely been in a work situation, whether freelance or collaborative, where I was only asked to do one narrow task. Clients and collaborators often expect you to wear multiple hats and still meet a high professional standard.
Being well-rounded also makes you more self-sufficient. When challenges come up, and they always do, it helps to have other skills to fall back on. For example, if I’m writing music for a project and something falls through with the mix or arrangement, I can step in myself and fix it. That kind of flexibility has saved projects and timelines more than once.
Beyond the practical side, learning new things and stepping outside your comfort zone keeps you growing. It opens new creative doors, keeps your mind fresh, and makes the work more fulfilling. Being well-rounded doesn’t mean you have to be perfect at everything, but it does mean having the awareness, sensitivity, and skill to support the full creative process.
So while your core strength will always be your anchor, I truly believe in building range. In today’s creative world, range isn’t a distraction; it’s survival, and it’s freedom.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.xiaoyiyingmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xiaoyi.darcy_music/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darcy.ying/
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@xiaoyiyingmusic
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0qpPr1cGOZiX5JEhB4iKPI?si=E-zzzej2TmmzDxBAfp7B8g
Image Credits
Christian Amonson, James Venable, Xiaoyi Ying
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