Chen Yuejia was a Diamond Prize winner in the Original Composition category of the 2025 Season 1 Universal Stars Music Competition.
Can you introduce yourself and share how you got into music?
I started learning piano in elementary school and went to Germany in 2011 to study composition. I completed my bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees at Rostock University of Music and Theatre, earning a diploma as a concert composer. Currently, I serve as the head of the immersive performance direction at the School of New Media Arts, Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts. My musical journey began with an exploration of both classical and contemporary soundscapes. From my studies at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing to my advanced studies in Germany, I have always sought to blend tradition with innovation.
Could you tell us more about your award-winning work?
My piece *Kalavinka* was also my graduation work for my concert diploma. The oboe performers were my classmates—one of them is my close friend. Together, we explored ways to expand the possibilities of the oboe. In Chinese wind music, there are pieces that imitate birdsong, so I also experimented with using the oboe to mimic bird calls and trills.
What do you believe defines a great composer, and how do you incorporate your unique style into your music?
I don't know how to become a great composer, but perhaps, if a piece of music withstands the test of time and is remembered by history, that is what makes it great.
Can you recall a memorable moment from your career that had a significant impact on you?
In 2015, my professor at Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock, Prof. Peter Manfred Wolf, gave me my first opportunity to participate in a large-scale symphonic work. It was during the Haydn *The Creation* music festival that I developed a deep interest in symphonic music.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
I believe the people I need to thank the most are my parents, who gave me the opportunity to study in Germany. I am also deeply grateful to all of my teachers: Zhao Wenbin from Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Yao Henglu from the Central Conservatory of Music, Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf from the Leipzig University of Music, and most importantly, Peter Manfred Wolf from Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock!