Xiaoyi Ying: A Cross-Cultural Composer Crafting Soundscapes That Speak Beyond Borders

Xiaoyi Ying, a versatile composer, arranger, and mixing engineer from China, has built a diverse career across feature films, TV series, game scores, orchestral projects, and original musicals. Combining Eastern musical influences with Western scoring techniques, Ying contributes to a range of formats: feature films, television, games, orchestras, and musical theater.

What distinguishes his work is an emphasis on musical coherence and narrative purpose across styles. Trained at respected music schools and with an expanding list of credits, Ying creates compositions that aim not just to support a story—but to deepen it.

A Journey Rooted in Curiosity and Craft

Born in China, Ying began studying music early and gradually developed his skills in composition and production. Later, he moved to the US to further refine his craft and continued his studies attending the prestigious Screen Scoring graduate program at the University of Southern California.

For the next step in his journey, he went to Berklee College of Music where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Writing and Production, with additional studies in Game Scoring and Jazz Composition. During this era, Ying participated in workshops and training, including The LA Film Conducting Intensive and the International Hollywood Film Music Workshop, which helped him gain invaluable experience in orchestration, conducting and audio collaboration.

Awards and Portfolios

Ying’s work is recognized through awards and commissions in film, gaming, and orchestral music.

● International Digital Music Festival (IDMF), Shanghai Conservatory (2024) – Secured Second Place in the Professional Composer Category for his game composition Dreamville, earning a prize of ¥50,000 RMB.

● International Digital Music Festival (2023) – Recipient of an Excellence Award in the Game Music composition category.

● BMI/Jerry Goldsmith Film Scoring Scholarship (2022) – Recipient – Award given by BMI Foundation to the selected composer of UCLA Extension's Film Scoring program to specialise skills and connections in scoring film, television, commercials, and video games.

● European Academy of Fine Arts Call for Scores (2022) – elected as a finalist in the international composition competition.

Similarly, talking about Ying’s compositions span multiple platforms, each reflecting a deep understanding of character, mood, and narrative architecture:

● AFK Journey – Contributed music to Lilith Games’ RPG, with his track Through the Waves featured on the official soundtrack.

● Infinity Nikki – Composed the score for Paper Games’ fashion-themed open-world RPG.

● All These Years – All These Years – Composer, arranger, and producer for Layla Zhuqing Ji’s feature film for Beijing Enlight Media.

● Many Thousands Lost - Score mixing engineer for the upcoming film.

● CCTV’s Industrial Heritage Innovation Festival Gala – Provided original compositions and arrangements, which aired nationally in China.

● “Fireward Feast” for the China National Center for the Performing Arts – Mixing engineer for the 11-minute orchestral pieces composed by Yihan Chen

● Animation & TV Projects – Scored productions including Aloha, Lemon and Coffee, the children’s series Rufu Guards, and the historical drama Jiu Xiao Han Ye Nuan.

Beyond screen media, Ying’s work extends into musical theatre and live performances:

● I Want You (2024) – Served as lead arranger, orchestrator, and producer for this jukebox musical, blending traditional orchestration with modern sensibilities.

● Tomorrow’s Trouble – Demonstrated his range as a composer, lyricist, and producer, illustrating his ability to craft compelling narratives through music.

Ying’s music has been recorded or performed at venues including: the Newman Scoring Stage (FOX Studios) with the Hollywood Studio Symphony; Shanghai Shangyin Opera House with the Shanghai Philharmonic; Village Studios; and Budapest Scoring Stage with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra.

A Composer Who Bridges Cultures

Ying’s work has a defining feature that reflects his cross-cultural musical fluency. Having grown up In China and trained extensively in the US, he crafts music that communicates emotional depth across genre, geography and cultural boundaries. His compositions often have a delicate balance between cinematic grandeur and intimate storytelling that blends classical orchestration with modern production techniques.

What Sets Ying Apart

Consistency and resilience – Ying’s continuous development and diverse portfolio reflect his professional growth. His work spans award-winning pieces, national broadcasts, international collaborations, and music for different genres. Whether composing a scene of quiet introspection or a sequence of epic fantasy, his work carries intention, clarity, and cultural fluency.

Respected by his peers, Ying has steadily built a career marked by dedication and technical expertise. His career is characterized by technical skill, narrative-focused composition, and a cross-cultural perspective.

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