Meet Amy Yu | Film and Video Game Composer & Keyboardist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Yu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
To be honest, I’ve never been particularly good at maintaining a healthy work-life balance. When I get deeply absorbed in my work, I tend to forget everything else—even meals. In the past, I worked as a freelance independent musician, which meant I often took on projects from home. While that offered flexibility, it also blurred the lines between my personal life and work. There were days I’d be so immersed in my tasks that I’d go the entire day without eating.

Realizing this wasn’t sustainable, I made a conscious decision to seek out a job with a more structured schedule. That’s why I transitioned into a company role with fixed working hours. These days, I wake up at 7 AM, arrive at the office by 9, and finish around 6 PM. By 7 in the evening, I’m usually back home and able to truly unwind. Over time, this routine has helped me become more physically and mentally balanced—I feel healthier and more energized than before.

For someone like me, who can easily lose themselves in their work, the best solution was to step away from working solo in a studio and embrace an environment with clear boundaries. Having that external structure has made all the difference.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a film and video game composer, the majority of my work is commercial in nature. However, a core belief of mine is that even within commercial boundaries, music must be infused with a unique artistic voice. I never pursue commercial appeal at the total expense of my own expression.

My professional journey began in earnest after graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2022, when I started taking on independent projects. Of course, this path hasn’t been without its challenges. There were inevitable moments of creative disagreement with clients. Yet, through open communication and a solution-oriented mindset, we always managed to find common ground and successfully complete the projects.

The most significant lesson I’ve learned—and the most difficult skill to master—is finding that perfect equilibrium between my artistic vision and the client’s needs. It’s a delicate dance. But once you find that balance, the work becomes incredibly rewarding. It transforms from a mere job into a joyful process of co-creation, and that’s when the best music is made.

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?
If my best friend were visiting Beijing, I’d want to show them the city’s dual soul—its imperial grandeur and its buzzing, modern creative energy. I’d skip the overly touristy traps and craft an experience that feels both authentic and unforgettable.

We’d definitely spend a day absorbing the awe-inspiring scale of the Great Wall at Mutianyu and the Forbidden City—they’re essential for feeling Beijing’s historical weight. But the real magic, for me, happens in the city’s veins: the hutongs. I’d take them to get lost in the labyrinthine alleyways, not just in Nanluoguxiang, but in quieter ones, discovering hidden cocktail bars and independent coffee shops tucked away in traditional courtyards.

As a musician, the city’s soundscape is key. Our nights would revolve around Beijing’s live music scene. I’d take them to my favorite spots, like the legendary School Bar in the Wudaoying area, to feel the raw energy of local bands, and maybe catch a sophisticated jazz set at Blue Note. For food, it’s all about the contrast—from the perfect crisp of Peking Duck to the communal, sizzling joy of a hutong hotpot. It’s this blend of the epic and the intimate, the ancient and the relentlessly modern, that truly defines a great time in Beijing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m incredibly grateful to my two alma maters: Berklee College of Music and the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. They served as phenomenal platforms that truly helped me integrate into the broader music industry and access invaluable resources.

At Berklee and Frost, performing with various school bands allowed me to connect with so many talented musicians and arrangers. Meanwhile, recording my own music in university studios taught me how to lead sessions, honed my organizational skills, and gave me a comprehensive understanding of the entire production process from start to finish.

Most importantly, through the resources and connections provided by my professors, I had the opportunity to collaborate commercially with Grammy-nominated producers, renowned singers, and major social media influencers. These experiences didn’t just happen in isolation—they were direct stepping stones that my schools provided, setting me on a path to push further and achieve more in my musical journey.

Website: https://amyyumusic.com

Instagram: amyyujh