Meet Yi-Fan Chen | Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yi-Fan Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yi-Fan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks has always felt like a part of my life, especially since deciding to pursue my career in the U.S. and shift my path from writing concert music to scoring for multimedia. The biggest life change for me was stepping out of the comfort zone I’d built over more than ten years and choosing to explore something new. While composing for media is still about creating music, it involves working much more closely with other professionals, communicating, and putting yourself out there to get noticed in the entertainment industry—something that felt quite daunting at first.

But I’ve realized that growth doesn’t happen without taking risks. I still find risks scary, but I’ve come to see them as necessary if I want to grow, both personally and professionally. The more I’ve experienced it, the more I’ve learned to embrace risk because it always leads to something new and surprising. It’s a lot like the process of composing music—no matter how many years I’ve been at it, there’s always something fresh and unexpected that keeps me inspired.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always been fascinated by music’s incredible ability to touch the heart and convey emotions that go beyond what visuals and words can express. This is why I’m drawn to capturing those subtle, unspoken moments that may seem small but leave a lasting impression.

I’m particularly proud of my work in orchestral settings, which has been my passion since high school. I love experimenting with different instrument groupings to create unique timbres and textures. However, transitioning from concert music to multimedia scoring was a significant turning point in my career. I faced challenges of having limited experience with electronic synthesis and music production field. Fortunately, during my time at NYU, I was surrounded by an incredible wealth of resources and talented people and I learned to embrace the constant discovery process, which has been both humbling and rewarding.

In my musical journey, I’ve learned that growth often comes from stepping into new and unfamiliar territory. What began as a deep love for orchestral music has evolved into a broader exploration of multimedia composition. Through this process, I’ve gained new skills, expanded my creative horizons, and found rewarding opportunities to tell stories through sound in ways I hadn’t initially imagined.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I’ve only been in LA for about a month, I haven’t had the chance to explore much yet. But there are a few places I’ve been really looking forward to visiting:

– Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park: So many of my friends have told me about this place, and I’ve been eager to go. The idea of hiking, taking in the city views, and maybe even doing some stargazing sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

– Hollywood Bowl: As someone who lives and breathes music, I’m pretty sure I’ll be spending a lot of time here. There’s something about hearing live music that helps me unwind and recharge, and the Hollywood Bowl just seems like the perfect spot for that!

– The Broad Museum: I’ve always loved contemporary art, so this has been at the top of my list since I arrived. I can’t wait to explore the museum and see all the incredible pieces—it’s one of those places I know will leave me feeling inspired.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to my mentor John Kaefer. He’s always amazed me with how knowledgeable he is—not only in terms of honing my skills as a composer but also in how to navigate the ups and downs of both the industry and life itself. We share a similar background in concert music, but John has shown me how much more there is to explore, especially by opening my eyes to the world of electronic synthesis and music production.

There was a time when I was completely overwhelmed, trying to balance school, networking, competitions, and job hunting all at once. I was close to burning out, but thankfully, John was there to remind me to be kind to myself, not push too hard, and that it’s okay to step back when I need to. He shared how he and other professionals in the industry manage these kinds of challenges and struggles. And every time I walked away from his lessons, I felt refreshed, recharged, and ready to face those challenges in life with more courage.

Website: https://www.yifanchenmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyfzz/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yifanchenmusic/