Meet Hua-Hsuan Tseng | Film Composer & Cellist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hua-Hsuan Tseng and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hua-Hsuan, what role has risk played in your life or career?

I believe taking risks is one of the best ways to help a person grow. In my experience, people get more opportunities in their life and career by pushing themselves out of their comfort zone. One can only push past their comfort zone by taking risks. Risk-taking played a big role in my life. Without taking risks, I would not be here today. It took a giant leap of faith for me to leave everything I know in Taiwan so I can be here in Los Angeles to start my career as a film composer.

Every day in LA is a brand-new day. Every day, all day, I am faced with the challenges of taking new risks. I believe the more risks I take, the chances I have to grow. For example, Industry Networking via the Internet presents challenges in sending messages to strangers while portraying a sense of perfect self is not a comfortable thing for me. My English is not the best, which makes me more insecure and shyer when communicating in my second language. Realizing I need to make a big move in life if I want to make it in LA, I told myself “life is too short to be stuck in fear or insecurity; the worst scenario is just they didn’t reply.”

Shortly after that day, I came across a post on Facebook about a band looking for a new cellist to join their band. I never played in a band before, yet alone a “metal band.” I thought it sounded like a fun challenge for me to get myself out there and out of my comfort zone. So I took the risk, replied to the post, got a message back from the bandleader, and after a short discussion and a video-call audition, I made it into the band! Just like that! and I am now in that metal band playing cello!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am most proud and so excited to share the embodiment of my early work, my first EP “HUA Dreaming”. The theme of the album is centered around the fusion of Chinese and Western styles of music to share my experiences through music with all the people around the world. One of the most exciting things to happen since making my EP is when I got invited to score a short film because the director was really moved by my music.

In this highly competitive industry, it is easy to get jaded. It can be depressing when you don’t land all the gigs all the time. As a freelancer, I learned that you can’t wait for everyone to tell you what to do or just keep waiting around for an unsure answer. So, I started to make my own project, my EP “HUA Dreaming”. I always wanted to make an album that is based on my experiences playing cello in a Chinese orchestra.

It is my dream to share my unique sound with the world. I am glad that I released my EP; to allow people to have the opportunity to expand their horizons vicariously through my experiences.

In my opinion, this is the best way for me to be seen/heard; to showcase my personal musical style.

To follow up on my EP, HUA Dreaming, I am working on a series of Western/Chinese Music Fusion to create a whole new style of musical influences.

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

I am still learning about all Los Angeles has to offer, but the first place I will take him/her to is Universal Studios Hollywood! We would go to see WaterWorld, Hogwarts, and the Revenge of the Mummy Ride. The attractions there are amazing, but there is so much history as well. Universal also has a Studio Tour that is like a ride. The tram takes you all throughout the backlot to see all of how/where the magic of Hollywood is made. The tour also includes traveling into some stages that are rigged out to be like a ride such as King Kong or Spiderman.

There is so much to do at Universal, I believe it is a great place to get the ‘Hollywood’ experience. In addition to that, the next day we would travel down to the heart of Hollywood, Hollywood, and Highland. We would go to the Wax Museum, Ripley’s and of course walk the Walk of Fame! There are always people dressed in costume and street entertainers to keep the scene alive! The people of LA are so vast and so interesting, you never know what you will find! On that note, the best place to see the diversity of Los Angeles is to go down to the Venice Beach Boardwalk. There are so many fun and free things to do in Venice. You can watch impressive skateboarders at the skate park, enjoy local arts and crafts, and have a healthy vegan lunch. These three iconic locations are just the tip of the iceberg that is LA. We would spend the rest of the time seeing other sites, eating great food, and enjoying each other’s company. Living the LA Dream BabY!!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I am so grateful that there are so many friends that help me along the way as I started my career. One that has stood out amongst the rest whom I would like to give my SHOUTOUT to, someone I really appreciate for their support and encouragement, I give a huge thank you to Jozs Kardos from The Mark LA Recording Studio.

Jozs gave me all the resources I might need from the first day I shared my idea about making my own album. I couldn’t believe I could get so much support from him. I recorded cello at his studio, did the mixing and editing and even I held a listening party there! Without Jozs’ support and encouragement, I don’t know where I would be today. I couldn’t imagine that I can host a listening party at a professional recording studio where all the friends that I invited were there to support me and then some! It was a magical evening and I am grateful for the love and support of all the people I have met along the way so far.

Website: https://www.huahsuan.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hua.hsuan/

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/hua-hsuan-tseng-b97906193

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huahsuan.music

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZmP4J1KLUoZjcPbEezVA1?si=rLVfpwOlQuaMLnp2hxw71g