Meet Moni Jasmine Guo | Composer & Pianist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Moni Jasmine Guo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasmine, what role has risk played in your life or career?
There are, of course, good risks and bad risks, and one needs to make the decision of which ones to take. I think of my life as an ongoing experience. Despite the nerves and fear that sometimes accompany risk-taking, I’ve found that the ‘right risks’ are often worth embracing.

I came to the US when I was 13 to attend a boarding school, despite not knowing English and having no friends or relatives in this country. I remember worrying about how I would communicate with people before getting on the plane but then decided to go ahead anyways—trust the journey, and believe that things would eventually fall into place. That’s the attitude I’ve pretty much held towards most risks in my life. I think taking those risks has only made my life more exciting. We often consider things risky because they contain a significant element of the unknown. Embracing risk means stepping outside our comfort zone and expanding our horizons to explore new, vibrant territories.

I’m always thankful for having had the courage to take the right risks, and I plan to continue doing so. Even though it’s still a bit nerve-wracking, the potential rewards are compelling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a classical pianist and composer for concert music and film. Currently, while continuing working as a professional composer, I also teach commercial music production at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Beginning my musical journey in China, I started playing the piano at three and writing music by ten. I moved to the US at 13 and furthered my musical education at institutions such as Interlochen Arts Academy, The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, Rice University, and ultimately, UCLA for my PhD in music composition, focusing on scoring for visual media arts. Although my training centered on Western musical language and techniques, I try to blend Eastern elements into my music whenever possible. At the same time, I incorporate experimental musical concepts with traditional musical language. Having loved visual art and storytelling from a young age, my music often depicts visual images and stories.

Pursuing a dream is amazing, but turning it into a profession is challenging. Nevertheless, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some of the most talented filmmakers and musicians, study under inspiring teachers, and work under an incredible composer—Sharon Farber. I’ve scored over 40 short films and worked on multiple features. One of the feature documentaries that I’ve scored has recently won the Best Feature Documentary award at the Nepal America International Film Festival. My short film scores can be heard on platforms like The New Yorker and DUST, and my concert works are performed around the world. My orchestra piece, “Rays of the After-rain Evening Sun,” was recently played by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years is to always have faith in myself and in the world. Trusting in people’s goodwill and believing in my abilities propels me forward. Above all, my love for music, my lifelong companion, keeps me on my path.

To me, music is a universal language bridging cultural divides and a personal diary shared with the world. My hope is to use it to connect, encourage, and comfort as many people as I can.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love this question! Here’s my itinerary for my best friend’s visit:

We’ll start at Santa Monica Beach on Monday, having brunch at Tartine on 1925 Arizona and exploring local shops. We can enjoy dinner at one of Santa Monica’s many restaurants and end the day at the Santa Monica Amusement Park.

On Tuesday, we will explore the Westwood area and the UCLA campus. We’ll eat at Ministry of Coffee, Pinches Taco, and Ami (for Udon or Sushi), wrapping up the day with a movie at the Regency Village Theater or Bruin Theater. Alternatively, we could catch a play at the Geffen Playhouse.

Wednesday is reserved for The Broad Museum, followed by a stroll around Little Tokyo and dinner at Daikokuya Ramen.

On Thursday, we’ll visit Universal Studio—a must for movie lovers.

The only plan I have for Friday is to go to a LA Phil concert in the evening and grab a bite at Tokki or one of the restaurants in downtown.

On Saturday, we will go to Korean town, one of my favorite places to eat and chill in LA. If it’s in the winter, we could even go to one of the Korean spas. Later, we could drive to San Gabriel to meet other friends and enjoy a hot pot dinner at The X Pot or ShanChengLaMeiZi.

Lastly, Sunday might be reserved for gift shopping at the Grove or Westfield Century City Mall before she flies back home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that I want to give my shoutout to—my family, my teachers/mentors, my musician friends and film maker friends, and everyone that gave me an opportunity or helped me along the way. Without them, my life would not be the same.

Today, I especially want to give a shoutout to my dear teacher, Peter Golub. I was fortunate to study under his guidance for four years. Throughout those years, Peter taught me everything crucial a film composer needs to know. He consistently supports my film and concert works, as well as my scholarly research. I love Peter’s music, whether it’s for concert, theater, or film. Whenever I encounter life’s questions – whether as a musician or as an individual – I know I can turn to Peter for reassurance and guidance.

Website: https://jasminemoniguo.wixsite.com/composer

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8426054/