Today we’d like to introduce you to Nozomi Lyn.
Hi Nozomi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a Japanese-Chinese composer for film and media, as well as a singer-songwriter. My musical journey began at the age of 3 when I started playing classical piano, and my love for classical music was further deepened through ballet.
Film music holds a special place in my heart. My connection to it began in Tokyo, Japan, where I grew up in a Japanese-Chinese household. Until the age of 8, when I started going to international school in Shanghai, China, I didn’t speak English, which turned out to be a blessing. I am extremely grateful for my parents. They made sure I watched all English movies, TV shows, and musicals in English without dubbing. Since I didn’t understand the dialogue, I had to rely on visual cues and music to navigate the storyline. This fostered my deep appreciation for musical storytelling. One of the films that left a lasting impression on me was Finding Nemo, and its music by Thomas Newman. Recently, I revisited the movie for the first time in over a decade. It was a fascinating experience to finally understand the specific dialogue of a film I had watched countless times.
When I wasn’t outdoors or watching movies; I immersed myself in books and poetry, eventually leading me to write my own poetry. One day, my dad came back home with a Ukulele he won from a game of bingo at his work’s Christmas Party; I started turning my poetry into songs. Writing songs became a form of emotional expression and therapy for me. In high school I moved from Asia to Vancouver, Canada. That’s where I met my former vocal coach and mentor, Jerrica Alyssa, during a choir rehearsal. She provided me with numerous musical opportunities in Vancouver and introduced me to the world of performing live music.
In 2018, I moved to New York City shortly after graduating from high school. After receiving a Bachelor of Music in Music Business from New York University, I enrolled in Master’s at New York University for Screen Scoring.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
During my childhood, I was bullied at school for having a multicultural background with a Japanese father and Chinese mother. When I was living in Japan as a kid, they would only see me as Chinese. When I was living in China, they would only see me as Japanese. This left me feeling like an outcast, unsure of where I belonged culturally.
Even now, as an Asian woman composer and singer-songwriter, I find that our presence and contributions are oftentimes underrepresented in the music industry. I am extremely grateful for the supportive and inclusive communities such as the Alliance for Woman Film Composers and Composers Diversity Collective. These communities provide a platform where composers from diverse cultural backgrounds can come together, share their experiences, and celebrate each other’s work. Being a part of these communities is incredibly empowering, as they recognize and honor the dedication and talent of every composer. Through the world of music, I have found a new way to embrace and celebrate my cultural heritage.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Growing up and moving to different countries has had a profound impact on my musical composition. Having lived in Japan, China, Canada, and now the United States; I’ve been immersed in diverse cultures, sparking a love for composing with multicultural instruments. Learning about different cultures’ traditional instruments has been a truly enriching experience.
As a singer-songwriter, I’ve been able to integrate my vocals into my scores. On the other hand, being a composer has given me the opportunity to incorporate orchestral instruments into my song production. The fusion of the two worlds, songwriting and composing, is a particularly exciting creative process for me.
Creating and blending sound design into my scores is also a passion of mine. I draw inspiration from sounds I hear in my daily life and sample them into my music, adding a distinctive layer to my music.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
As a composer and singer-songwriter, being open to learning and experimenting means embracing new ideas, techniques, and styles. It’s important for me to constantly step outside of my comfort zone and explore unfamiliar territory, which can lead to exciting discoveries and unexpected creative breakthroughs.
I treat each project as a brand-new canvas. It’s an opportunity to create something unique from scratch. Free from preconceived notions, and to approach the music with a sense of wonder and exploration. Creating a new sound palette is like mixing watercolors for the first time. It involves selecting different instruments, textures, and effects to craft a unique sonic landscape that complements and enhances the music.
This approach keeps the creative process dynamic and engaging, ensuring that each piece of music is a fresh, inspired creation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nozomilynofficial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nozomilyn/
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/nozomi-lyn-1b5294172
Image Credits
January Yucheng Li
Federico Modica
