Meet Yuhang Shao | Media Composer & Music Producer

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

Hi Yuhang, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Before I entered the Frost School of Music, I didn’t have formal composition training, even though I’d studied trumpet and music fundamentals from a young age. Choosing to become a freelance musician — and eventually a composer — was actually a decision I struggled with for a long time.

I was deeply influenced by Ennio Morricone, and honestly, there wasn’t one perfectly logical plan behind it. What I remember most clearly are specific moments in the cinema — hearing Playing Love when 1900 looks out the window and sees the girl, or the final theme in Cinema Paradiso when Toto returns home and watches all those memories unfold.

I still remember sitting in the theater, holding back tears, and realizing that this was what I wanted to do — to tell stories through music. That was the moment I decided I wanted to become a film composer.

Later on, especially after COVID, the reality of the industry in China made things very clear. Opportunities didn’t come from a traditional system — they came from relationships, collaboration, and being able to handle an entire project independently. I found myself doing more than just writing music: communicating with directors, producing, revising, and delivering finished work.

Starting my own business wasn’t something I overthought — it was simply a way to reflect how I was already working. It gave me a structure to support that original emotional impulse, while allowing me to build long-term creative relationships and keep moving between film and music naturally.

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.
My work sits at the intersection of storytelling and sound. I focus on film scoring and music production, but what really defines my process is how closely I tie music to narrative, emotion, and context rather than treating it as something standalone.

What sets me apart is that I didn’t come from a traditional composition background. Before entering the Frost School of Music, I had strong performance and music fundamentals, but very little formal training in composition. That meant I had to build my skills from the ground up — learning not just how to write music, but how to think like a composer in a professional environment.

It definitely wasn’t easy. There were moments when I felt behind, unsure, or even overwhelmed, especially when adapting to a new country, a new education system, and a highly competitive creative field. What helped me move forward was accepting that growth doesn’t have to be linear. I learned to treat every project as both a creative challenge and a learning opportunity — whether it was re-scoring scenes, collaborating with directors, or producing music under real deadlines.

Over time, those experiences shaped how I work today. I’m most proud of the fact that I can now handle projects holistically — from understanding the story and emotional arc, to composing, producing, and delivering finished music that actually serves the picture. That process taught me discipline, adaptability, and the importance of communication just as much as musical technique.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that vulnerability is part of the creative process. Feeling uncertain or unprepared doesn’t mean you’re not meant to be here — it usually means you’re growing. Instead of trying to hide those moments, I learned to work through them, ask questions, and keep moving forward.

What I want people to know about me and my work is that my brand isn’t built on perfection — it’s built on honesty, persistence, and a deep respect for storytelling. I don’t just want to create music that sounds good; I want to create music that means something, that connects emotionally, and that helps stories stay with people long after the screen goes dark.

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?
Honestly, before even taking my friends around the city, I’d really want them to spend some time at my home studio. I think beyond sightseeing, they’d be curious about how and where I actually make music. We’d hang out, play ideas, maybe record something together — just having fun and creating without pressure. That’s a big part of how I connect with people.

After that, I’d want them to experience Beijing the way I know it — not just as a historic destination, but as the place where I grew up and where my sense of rhythm, atmosphere, and community comes from.

We’d slow things down by walking through the hutongs, grabbing street food, sitting down for coffee, and letting daily life unfold around us. That everyday texture of the city is something I’ve always found inspiring.

One of the most meaningful parts for me would be introducing them to my childhood friends. Long dinners, late-night conversations, maybe drinks around Houhai — those shared moments really define what Beijing feels like to me.

We’d also spend a day at 798 Art District, wandering through exhibitions and studios, just soaking in the creative energy. It’s a place where tradition and contemporary culture coexist, and I think it reflects the city really well.

If time allows, I’d take them outside the city to the Mutianyu Great Wall. It’s not just about the view — it’s about perspective, and being reminded of how much history and memory exist in this place.

By the end of the week, I wouldn’t want them to feel like they simply visited Beijing. I’d want them to feel like they lived here for a moment — sharing music, friendships, and the atmosphere that shaped who I am and continues to influence my work.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are honestly so many people and moments I could thank throughout my journey as a musician — especially during times when things felt uncertain or difficult. A lot of help came both intentionally and unintentionally, and I’ve never felt like I was doing this alone.

First and foremost, I want to thank my parents. If I’m the one walking this path, they are the ones who made it possible in the first place. Without their support, this road simply wouldn’t exist for me.

I also want to dedicate a shoutout to Ennio Morricone. Sadly, I’ll never have the chance to meet or work with him, but his music gave me my starting point. It gave me the courage to take the first step and believe that telling stories through music was something worth pursuing. I still carry his influence with the deepest respect and gratitude.

I’m incredibly thankful to the teachers at the Frost School of Music, especially the faculty in the IEP program and Professor Ethan. When I first arrived in a new country, I was overwhelmed with anxiety and uncertainty. Their support didn’t just help me musically — it helped me feel confident for the first time, and truly seen and recognized as a person and an artist.

I also want to thank the professors and friends who directly guided me along my music path. They taught me so much — not only about music, but about the industry, business, and life itself.

To everyone who has supported me along the way: in a journey that hasn’t been very long yet, you’ve been my motivation, my courage, and the reason I keep moving forward.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yh.s_music/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YH.S_Music

Other: https://space.bilibili.com/34595119?spm_id_from=333.1007.0.0

Image Credits
Photographer: Yue Jian