Meet Cathy (Huiyun) Cao | Content Creator & Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cathy (Huiyun) Cao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cathy (Huiyun), why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Becoming a creative content creator wasn’t exactly my “original plan,” but it also wasn’t an accident. It happened very naturally – I’ve always been an artistic person. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved expressing myself through music, writing, painting, and over time, I discovered the joy of filming and producing videos. Sharing stories, capturing moments, and documenting personal experiences has always been a passion of mine, and in today’s world, that kind of storytelling is almost synonymous with being a content creator on social media.

I started by making lifestyle content – fashion, travel, and everyday moments – for my own channel @企鹅少女Cathy (PenguinGirlCathy), which helped me build a community of over 300K followers on Chinese platforms like Weibo and Bilibili (basically the Chinese equivalents of Twitter and YouTube!). As my platform grew, I had the opportunity to collaborate with globally recognized brands including Condé Nast Traveler China, OPPO, and Sony PlayStation, creating content that blended aspirational visuals with authentic, culturally resonant storytelling.

Over time, I discovered a deeper passion: combining my creative skills with my love for music. I wanted to be more involved in the music industry, so I moved to New York City to pursue that dream. I earned a master’s degree in Music Business at NYU and gained valuable, formative experience working in international marketing at Sony Music. I also filmed special performance episodes for Homegrown Music Garden (homegrown自家种) in New York, spotlighting emerging artists with global potential. Together, these experiences gave me something beyond just creating content as a digital storyteller—they gave me a broader perspective on how the music industry operates and, more importantly, a deeper understanding of what artists truly need to thrive.

Now, I’m creating fun and informative content for independent artists through Symphonic Distribution, one of the leading independent music distributors. I produce short-form videos across Symphonic’s social channels – which reach an audience of over 185K across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and more. My content ranges from behind-the-scenes vlogs offering a peek into the music industry to educational pieces that break down music licensing, marketing strategies, and other tools that help artists grow. It’s been incredibly rewarding to use my creativity not just for self-expression, but to empower and uplift others in the music space.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The first principle I follow in creating content and videos – regardless of the topic, platform, or genre – is that everything has to be genuine. My stories and points of view always come from a place of real care and passion for the people, ideas, or experiences I’m sharing. I want my work to feel relatable and inspire others in some way.

What sets me apart is my commitment to authenticity combined with a diverse creative background. Growing up, I explored many art forms – from music and writing to video production – which helped me develop a subtle and unique sense of aesthetic taste and sensitivity. Having multiple identities and perspectives also allows me to bring fresh ideas and diverse viewpoints to my audience, creating content that feels both personal and relatable.

Professionally, my journey hasn’t always been easy, especially since content creation is so tightly intertwined with social media, an environment that’s not only fast-paced but also highly exposed. Formats, trends, and platforms change constantly. I started with more of a YouTube aesthetic, and now TikTok dominates the landscape. Finding my core voice and adapting it to new, widely accepted formats has been challenging—not everyone manages to do it successfully.
For me, it took a lot of experimentation and learning to really understand the audience I’m speaking to so I could continue creating meaningful content. And again, without authenticity, nothing lasts. I believe it’s been my personality, mindset, genuine passion, and adaptability that have kept me on this path from 2019 through 2025, regardless of how my platform, perspective, or audience have evolved.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My NYC Vibe:

Eat at Bricolage in Brooklyn (a Vietnamese-French style brunch).
Sip from Reception in Lower East Side (a Korean soju-cocktail spot).
Visit the Whitney Museum for some cool art pieces and walk the West Side.
Hit a show in one of my favorite venues! – Brooklyn Steel / the Sultan Room/ Cherry Lane Theatre 🙂

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 and communities who’ve helped shape my journey, but if I had to give a special shoutout, it would be to Homegrown Music Garden(homegrown自家种). It’s more than just a music platform – it’s a creative family to me. The channel is often known as “the Chinese Tiny Desk Concerts” that showcases emerging artists’ live performances in cozy, home-vibe settings, founded by Chinese artists Leo1Bee and Christy Wu.

After I moved to New York, they welcomed me to co-direct the production of a special New York series. I worked alongside Suki Zhang, who moved to NYC before me, and played a key role in shaping the vision. She also became one of my dearest friends. Together, we co-directed and filmed some of the most exciting emerging Asian musicians in the city, including Elle Shimada, FiFi Zhang, and Nathanie.

Through homegrown, I was able to bridge my content creation work with my love for music in a special way at the very start of my NYC journey. I got to experience how powerful it is to create with purpose and community. They believed in what I brought to the table, gave me creative freedom, and inspired me to continue blending artistry and advocacy in my work.

That experience is a huge reason why I’m so passionate about supporting independent artists today, whether through storytelling, media, or my work at Symphonic Distribution.

Website: https://linktr.ee/CathC