Meet Ty Xiong of DTLA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ty Xiong

Hi Ty, 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?
Hello, I am a pianist, composer, performer and educator. I am Hmong American 2nd generation, originally from Charlotte, NC. I always knew as a kid that I was a creative person. In middle school and high school, I would always draw or play at the piano. I self taught myself to play the piano at the age of 12 and since then, piano has been a part of my life ever since. At a young age, taking formal private lessons was not a luxury to have but I knew that I wanted to take this passion into something bigger. Once I played piano for my Jazz band in high school, that was when I really wanted to do this professionally. At the age of 17, I then went out and obtain my formal training. Once I enrolled into university at CPCC and UNCG, since then I have grown my love for music of Classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Debussy. You can definitely hear them in my music.

Throughout my academic and performance career, I started associating with filmmakers who needed music for their short films and that’s when film composing grew a passion to get into film scoring. It’s the collaboration process that makes everything about film scoring enjoyable. I remember performing my own composition “Lost Child,” with UNCG Sinfonia in 2020 where I had it arranged to sound like film music to show my interest in emotional and dramatic orchestral music. One other reason why that moment was important to me was because it was my parent’s first time ever seeing me perform piano in a concert hall and perform alongside a string orchestra. Their reaction and other audience members’ reaction made me feel proud for being able to achieve this much.

I’ve always wanted to relocate to LA since I was 21 years old to pursue my music career whether it’s in performance, teaching, film scoring or collaborating with other artists. I finally relocated at the beginning of 2024 and it has been an incredible journey. Since then, I have produce my piano songs on my YouTube channel, “Atonement.”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There has been a fair share of challenges in my life but I don’t necessarily like to think that challenges are “bad” things. I know soon enough everything will fall into place. Life is never smooth. Detach from outcome. You must be your own cheerleader and keep going. Unfortunate events in life and relationships happens.

Of course back in my academic years, I thought I was far behind my peers. There were a lot of things I have to develop but I still knew my strengths and weaknesses. In the arts, competition is brutal, but I was never afraid of competition. I see it as a way to motivate myself, I always want to be around people who were better than me and more successful. Rejections always happen. Just never take it personal.

There is thought of, “Should I just do what is considered normal?” But the more I keep going, there more I know I can’t turn back.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a musician, pianist, composer, and teacher. I teach piano, I create music. I am known as a composer. I am proud of being a service to others and make a living doing what I do. What sets me apart from others is to be genuine with the people I associate with and not trying to just get something out of them.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Be persistent and positive. Know what you want. Know your worth. Have a decent size ego that does not push people away. Volunteer your time for a good cause. Make sure when people meet you, try to have their memory of you pleasant.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tyxiong.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ty_tzxiong/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TZXiong/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TyXiongMusic

Image Credits
Personal photo by Joshua Vang – https://www.adeareststudios.com/
1st, 2nd, and 3rd additional photo by Tracy Hang – https://hlubtray.myportfolio.com/
4th additional photo Kiab Phan – https://kiabphanphotography.com/
5th additional photo by Chen Jiang – https://www.gingermorning.com/