We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ziyuan Yue a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ziyuan, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
As an Asian woman composer working across film, theater, and multimedia, I often find myself to be the only person in the room who looks like me—and sometimes, the only one drawing from a non-Western musical tradition.
When I began my career in the United States, I quickly realized that being “the only one” extended beyond appearance. It meant learning how to navigate across cultural expectations, creative workflows, and professional vocabularies. I wasn’t just writing music—I was learning to speak across disciplines and perspectives. Directors, producers, DP, sometime even accountants—each brought their own language, priorities, and rhythms to the process.
To collaborate effectively, I had to become a “translator”—musically, emotionally, and professionally. When a director described pacing, I listened for rhythm. When a producer focused on budget constraints, I reshaped orchestrations while preserving the essence of the score. When an accountant required deliverable clarity, I reframed my work in the language of logistics and timelines.
Early on, I felt the weight of needing to prove myself. To justify my presence. To adapt. But over time, I came to realize that my difference wasn’t a hurdle—it was a contribution. I stopped trying to fit a mold and began showing up fully as myself: someone who can hold space for others’ visions while staying rooted in her own. Someone who may walk into a room sounding or looking unfamiliar, but speaks fluently in listening—and in that, finds her voice heard.
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 am a composer based in Los Angeles, originally from China, working at the intersection of music, storytelling, and emotional resonance. My creative path moves fluidly across film, musical theatre, games, and interactive exhibitions. At the heart of every piece I write is a single driving force: the desire to move people.
What draws me most to composing is music’s ability to articulate what words cannot. It shapes a story’s emotional arc through harmony, stillness, rhythm, and unexpected textures that linger in the memory. My foundation in classical composition provides structure and clarity. My experience in film and theatre has taught me to write with emotional precision. And my multicultural identity allows me to approach each project with both sensitivity and a fresh perspective.
Recently, I was selected as one of the featured composers for the 26th Music & Cinema Marseille Festival (European Market for Musical Composition for the Image). I also had the honor of composing original music for an exhibition at the Palace Museum in Beijing. To date, I have scored a range of short films and animated works, several of which have received awards and have been featured at major U.S. festivals including the Los Angeles Animation Festival.
Whether I’m composing for a epic game trailer or a joyful musical, I see every project as a chance to connect. I want to tell stories that feel honest, human, and emotionally true—through the language of sound.
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?
The first quality is a strong attention to detail. Over time, I’ve realize that even the smallest elements like a note change, a subtle harmonic shift can completely change the emotional impact of a piece. Every tiny detail matters and can make or break the whole work. You can’t afford to overlook them, because small mistakes can lead to big problems. Taking time to carefully notice and refine these details helps me create music that feels honest and truly alive.
Second, empathy. As a media composer, you’re always writing music for stories. So much of the work is about listening to the scene, characters, and the people you’re collaborating with. I’ve found that tuning into the emotional tone of a story, even when it’s not explicitly stated, is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.
And third, staying curious. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped learning—about music, people and the world. Every project challenges me in a new way, and I think the willingness to learn over and over again is what keeps the work fresh and fulfilling.
For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: be patient with yourself. Take time to listen, to music but also to the world around you. And especially, stay open. Try things you’re not sure you’re ready for, because growth often happens quietly and unexpectedly.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, absolutely. I’m always excited to collaborate with directors, producers, editors, and storytellers who understand just how powerful music can be emotionally and narratively. I work as both a composer and an orchestrator, which allows me to be part of the process from the very beginning of an idea all the way through recording and post-production.
As a composer, I love diving into the emotional subtext of a story and crafting a musical language that brings it to life. I’ve written original scores for award-winning musicals, animated films, and short films that have been featured in international festivals. As an orchestrator, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with artists like Emmy-winning composer Nathan Wang, helping transform creative ideas into fully realized scores.
Whether you’re looking for a composer who can connect with the heart of your story, or an orchestrator who can bring technical precision and musical sensitivity to your team, I’m always open to connecting. I’m especially drawn to projects with emotional depth, cultural nuance, or a little bit of magic.
You can learn more and get in touch through my website: www.ziyuanyue.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ziyuanyue.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziziyuanyue?igsh=MTkweHVmcjl6NWpydQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ziyuanyue_music?si=bk3B_hXL2GX44uoc
- Other: https://play.reelcrafter.com/ziyuanyue/composer
Image Credits
Christian Amonson
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