Check Out Gexuan An’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gexuan An

Hi GeXuan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in music began with a deep love for Joe Hisaishi’s score in Castle in the Sky. Growing up, music wasn’t seen as a legitimate career path, so I followed the traditional academic route. After Lang Lang rose to fame, my parents briefly supported my piano lessons, but as the excitement faded, so did their encouragement for my music studies. After high school, I went to Australia to study design, but I couldn’t ignore my passion for music. I eventually dropped out, returned to Beijing, and started learning music theory and composition from scratch, determined to pursue a career in film scoring. Later, I was accepted to Musicians Institute in the U.S. I worked incredibly hard to catch up, spending countless nights refining my skills. Over time, I found my rhythm and began scoring for indie films. After graduation, I worked as a composer assistant and continued my studies at UCLA Extension, even through the challenges of the pandemic. Then, I enrolled at Jacobs School of Music to pursue a master’s in film scoring, blending classical and modern techniques to bring my dreams to life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Pursuing my dream of music has never come easily. As a late bloomer in music, I’ve struggled. A lot. But I have also devoted every waking moment to overcoming the challenges before me, learning the fundamentals to prepare me for a future as a professional film composer. With my late start, the expectations of my parents, along with pressure from my peers, have sometimes brought great doubt. Yet no matter how difficult it’s been, I have never stopped believing that I am on the right path because I simply cannot imagine any other life.

After months in Beijing immersed in music theory and fundamentals, I took the deeper plunge of applying to Musicians Institute in the United States. My first year coursework was not easy. I had to spend twice as much time learning orchestration and music theory as some of my classmates. Fortunately, piano lessons as a young child and thousands of hours listening to masterful music had given me sensitive ears, so I progressed quickly. I spent nights at school, transcribing the scores, and analyzing every note. In time, I caught up with those around me, and by my second year I felt comfortable with the coursework. For my sophomore project, I worked incredibly hard, and was very proud of all my progress, as well as the final product.

My studies did not end with graduation, however. Seeking more knowledge, experience, and access to other experts in the field, I continued in coursework through UCLA Extension. My studies were temporarily impacted by private matters and the global pandemic. I truly reached the bottom of my life during this time. Yet despite such difficulties, I knew I had to find a way to sustain my music. During this storm, I was determined to keep honing my skills, and so sought (and found!) different instructors to guide me. Then, I seek the next step on my journey; a Master’s degree in Music Scoring for Visual Media from a reputable school.

Thanks to my years of hard work, I was fortunate enough to receive offers from two schools: Jacobs School of Music and NYU. When deciding between them, I spent a lot of time thinking it over and asked many people for their input. In music, the more I’ve learned, the more I’ve realized how much I still have to learn. My curiosity only grows. I’ve picked up a lot about contemporary scoring methods that best serve film—using advanced sequencing and sound design—but the composers I admire most still incorporate many traditional techniques. I believe that by mastering both modern and traditional techniques, I can create the kind of music I deeply admire. Even though most people I talked to encouraged me to choose NYU, I ultimately chose the Jacobs School of Music, a renowned classical music conservatory. My experience at Jacobs has truly exceeded my expectations. Not only does the school offer me the charm and foundation of classical music, but also the opportunity to absorb the nutrients of modern music techniques. My musical skills have made significant progress during this time.

Certainly, the best way to learn is through real-world experience in the music industry. Though it may seem like I’ve been continually studying, I’ve never stopped collaborating with directors and producers outside of school. Since graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I’ve worked on projects of various scales. This required overcoming my fears—starting late in music often left me doubting my work, but the best way to address this insecurity has been through constant practice, refining my skills to build confidence in real-world scenarios.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a composer for visual media—Films, TV, video games and etc, my work is centered on composing music that not only enhances but elevates the storytelling experience in film. I’ve also gained insight into balancing my own musical style with the needs of the film, while still incorporating my artistic voice, and ultimately finding harmony between the two. This passion has driven my work on over a dozen indie films in both the U.S. and China, where I’ve had the opportunity to experiment with and refine my approach to film music. Every interaction and collaboration with filmmakers has been invaluable, helping me meet new people, encounter new ideas, and accumulate a wealth of valuable experience.

In my journey in music, every bit of progress brings me a sense of pride and encouragement. During my undergraduate years in particular, I participated in my first-ever orchestral recording, which featured 20 musicians playing my composition in The Bridge Studio (renamed as Silent Zoo Studio). Hearing my music played by outstanding musicians made my heart swell, and I felt my dream of composing for film strengthen even more. My senior year allowed me to conduct my own music for a 30-piece orchestra. I also participated in MI’s Film Intensive workshops, composed for some of my first indie films, and perhaps most importantly, collaborated with several talented directors. All of this is beyond anything I could have imagined when I first started studying music.

What truly distinguishes my journey is my late start in formal music education (switching from graphic designer to music composer) and the continuous drive to close the gap, proving that passion and hard work can fuel growth and mastery in this. My journey has been one of gradually building confidence and overcoming fears to prepare for a real step forward in the industry. Now, I’m excited to continue my music dreams in LA. I’m sharing my story in hopes that it might encourage others; if someone like me, starting so late, can make it this far, then you certainly can, too.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The Covid-19 crisis brought many lessons, both personally and professionally. The most significant lesson was resilience—when everything felt uncertain, I learned to rely on my commitment to music as an anchor. The pandemic disrupted my studies and limited opportunities to work with others in person, which was difficult since I’d always valued collaboration as a key part of my growth.

During this time, I had to adapt to new ways of working, seeking guidance online from mentors and practicing independently. It taught me how to keep moving forward even when things felt stagnant. I also realized the importance of adaptability and finding creative solutions to keep progressing, even in challenging circumstances. These lessons have strengthen my commitment to music and helped me become more resourceful, which I hope will continue to support me in future challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gexuanmusic.com
• Instagram: gegegexuan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeXuanAn/