Meet Xueshen Qiu

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Xueshen Qiu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Xueshen, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I am a music composer and producer. Throughout my journey of growth, I reflected on my experiences and discovered that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life; it is my life’s purpose. When I was very young, I had a fortunate opportunity to start learning percussion, which opened the door to my music education and led me to contemplate my life goals and meaning.

In high school, I became obsessed with a Mandarin singer and his music. I started teaching myself piano to play and sing his songs, practicing diligently every day after school. As I played, I discovered my passion for composing music. Music is a language that expresses emotions through notes, and I am someone who has a lot of feelings to convey. Writing music to express my emotions has become something I truly love and my goal for the future is to become a composer.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I currently work in Los Angeles as a music composer, creating original music for games, films, and any visual media that requires music. This is a job I’m passionate about, especially the thrill of seeing my name in the credits after completing a film’s score. No matter how challenging the creative process may be, it ultimately brings me immense satisfaction and pride.

In addition to film work, I also have a deep love for gaming, so composing original soundtracks for games is an important part of my job. The gaming industry, compared to film, tends to be more profitable and has longer project timelines, which gives me more time to explore my creativity. Most importantly, I truly enjoy the process of creating and using music to tell a story.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I believe there are several qualities that have been particularly useful in my journey. First, persistence is crucial. Regardless of how poorly you may start at something, if you commit to it and keep at it, you will eventually see progress and results. No one begins a task perfectly; much of our improvement comes from the gradual honing of our skills through the process.

Second, it’s important to cultivate a proactive attitude. Those who take initiative in their work or studies often have access to more opportunities. Whether it’s reaching out to someone for a coffee or making an effort to connect with someone you admire at a networking event, these actions can open doors and create unique possibilities in your life.

Lastly, I believe it’s essential to find what you truly love to do. Throughout the long journey of life, passion is what helps us withstand loneliness. You can, like me, turn your passion into a career and dedicate your life to it, or you can treat your passions as hobbies that enrich your life outside of work, providing joy and fulfillment.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I believe my first step is to analyze and identify the source of my emotional distress, whether it’s a situation or a person. The initial consideration is to see if I can distance myself from the uncomfortable environment or the individual causing me internal conflict.

Next, I would set aside less important tasks and allow myself some time to relax. I find it helpful to confide in friends or family, and once I’ve sorted through my emotions, I can approach the situation again with a clearer mindset.

Additionally, I think having a pet can be beneficial for mental health. Pets provide companionship and affection, which can be comforting during tough times.

Finally, I reflect on myself and the unpleasant experience, aiming to understand it better and prevent similar overwhelming situations from occurring in the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.xsqcomposer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qiuxueshen/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100021314029105

Image Credits

“Little Beast” – Composer
“August & Ebony” – Composer
“Something at Work” – Composer
“Scorelive Competition” – 8th place finalists