Life & Work with Muye Yu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Muye Yu.

Hi Muye, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a film music composer from Beijing, based in Los Angeles. Currently, I am pursuing a composition PhD at UCLA.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in music production at Beijing Film Academy. During my time there, I had the opportunity to work as a composer and music editor for several TV shows while also interning at a broadcasting and TV station.

Under the guidance of my mentor William Wai Lap Wu, who gave me tremendous support in my study, I pursued a master’s degree in screen scoring at USC while gaining acceptance from seven other prestigious schools along the way. I got to know my friend Bob Badami during my time at USC. After graduating, in 2022, I worked for my professor, distinguished composer Christopher Young as his assistant.  After that, I decided to go to UCLA where I continued my composition study with Richard Danielpour and Peter Golub until now.

Throughout this journey, I’ve never stopped composing, even during the busiest time. I did dozens of TV shows, advertisements, games, films, theaters, and dance as a composer. I’m excited to continue creating music that resonates with people.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
While I wouldn’t characterize my journey in composition as a smooth road, I view the challenges more as opportunities for growth. The beauty of artistic expression is that there are no strict rights or wrongs; music serves as a bridge and medium. My primary challenge has been creating music that genuinely moves the audience. This encompasses not only mastering compositional techniques but also understanding the synergy between music and visuals. Most importantly, the music needs to move me personally before moving others.

Outside of my artistic journey, life itself has presented its share of struggles, such as adapting to cultural differences when I first arrived in the US. This required some time and effort to acclimate to a new environment.”

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I am currently working on a documentary and a drama, and my new piece for piano and clarinet is planning to release in the summer next year. In fact, I just completed an immersive show in downtown Los Angeles at the end of this October as a composer and music director, collaborating with dancers and musicians. Meanwhile, last month my piece Grass for soprano Hilá Plitmann was performed during her residency in UCLA.

What matters most to you? Why?
My composition inspiration draws from the oriental elements, and now they blend with the palette of sound. I think it’s important to be sensitive to the colors within music. In my composition, I strive to transcend boundaries and balance between visuals and music by using both orchestral and electronic music. I am also inspired by both oriental and Western traditions to provide a fresh experience for the audiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://muyeyu.wixsite.com/music
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/muye0728?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr