Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Yun.
Hi Iris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Iris Yun, and I’m a singer based in Los Angeles.
Growing up in China, my journey in music began when I started taking piano lessons as a child for a while. Around the age of nine, I happened to hear Complicated by Avril Lavigne on the car radio, which sparked my first thought of becoming a singer. At thirteen, I began singing and, with my teacher’s encouragement, participated in various singing competitions. These experiences helped me achieve some success and boosted my confidence in pursuing music.
In high school, I moved to the United States to study, where I spent two years deeply involved in the choir. This experience had a profound impact on me, as it strengthened my vocal skills and deepened my passion for music. Afterward, I came to Los Angeles to study vocal performance at the Musicians Institute, where I recently graduated.
While at MI, I had the privilege of studying with Eric Copeland (Lyn), an accomplished vocalist and former contestant on The Voice (Season 13). His extensive experience—having performed with John Legend, Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir, Snoh Aalegra, Bazzi, Aloe Blacc, and Cordae, as well as appearing on NPR Tiny Desk and major music festivals—greatly influenced my artistic growth. His mentorship not only refined my vocal technique but also gave me the confidence to embrace my unique sound. The encouragement and insights he provided have been invaluable to my journey as an artist.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been fortunate to have many people support me along my musical journey, but the path hasn’t been easy. When I entered college, I quickly realized that many of my classmates had been professionally trained from a young age. They not only had strong technical foundations but also a clear sense of direction for their future. In contrast, I was still exploring and gradually finding my own path.
Another major challenge was developing my own artistic identity. For any musician, finding a unique voice is essential. In such a competitive industry, especially in the U.S., standing out requires more than just talent—it takes a distinct sound and artistic vision. Beyond that, staying true to myself and holding onto my artistic beliefs has been a significant mental challenge. It’s easy to be influenced by trends or doubt your own ideas, but learning to trust my instincts and remain authentic in my music has been just as important as honing my skills. This journey of self-discovery is ongoing, but it’s also what makes music so meaningful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I am a developing artist and also work as a teaching assistant at Musicians Institute. I specialize in R&B, Soul, Pop, and Musical Theatre, drawing inspiration from artists like Hiatus Kaiyote, Yebba, Erykah Badu, and Moonchild. As a singer, I perform both as a solo artist and as a background vocalist, demo singer, and vocal supervisor for other artists.
In addition to my work as a performer, I also contribute to film soundtracks. I was the featured vocalist for the theme song of the short musical film The Stage in Heart, which has received multiple awards, nominations, and selections at various film festivals. Some of its recognitions include a Nominee at the 2024 Prague Music Video Awards, the Best Cinematography award at the 2024 Indie Cine Tube Awards, the Best Dance Music Video award at the 2024 Cinematography & Photography Awards, an Honorable Mention for Best Cinematography at the 2024 Your Way International Film Festival, the Best Music Video Cinematography award at the 2024 Canadian Cinematography Awards (CaCA), and the Best Cinematography award at the 2024 Nottingham Music Video Awards.
Beyond my work as an artist, I am also the co-founder of CMG Music, a modern music production company based in China that my partner and I established in 2024. We specialize in album creation, music production, arrangement, mixing, and mastering for artists. In addition to production services, we also provide study abroad consulting for musicians pursuing international education.
Our collaboration credits include Shanghai Tianyu Media, SNH48, 88rising China, Hunan Satellite TV, No.4 Music, The Rap of China, ONER, Kyra Zilver, Allen Su, Yuqi Zhang, Linna Gong, Xincheng Zhang, Lil Fu, Xun Wei, Luo Tianyi, and more.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, I am currently working on my original music and will be focusing on releasing my own projects this year. My goal is to share more of my artistic voice and vision through my songs while continuing to grow as a singing artist. In addition to new releases, I plan to perform more, expanding my presence on stage and connecting with audiences through live music.
At the same time, I am also discovering more of my own possibilities as an artist. I hope to challenge myself, embrace new experiences, and gradually shape a style that is uniquely my own. Moving forward, I want to be braver and more confident in expressing my individuality, staying true to my artistic vision while continuing to evolve. This year will be all about showcasing more of my artistry—not just as a vocalist, but as a creator defining my own musical identity.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisyunnn/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irisyun
