Draft:Yiyang Zhou

Yiyang Zhou
Born	Shanghai, China
Genres	Film score Contemporary Classical Asian Traditional Experimental Electronica Ambient
Occupations	Musician Composer Sound Designer
Years active	Early 2000s–present
Website	zhouyiyang.com

Yiyang Zhou 周一阳 is a Chinese-born Canadian composer, with the journey from his hometown Shanghai to the serene landscapes of Tasmania, and finally settled in the dynamic multicultural tapestry of Toronto, Yiyang Zhou's story is as diverse and captivating as his compositions. He specializes in Contemporary classical, Asian traditional, Ambient, Electronic influences, and various sound arts, with a particular passion for developing a variety of unique palettes into storytelling contexts.

Beginning his career at Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2008 as an in-house composer, Zhou's craft, laid the groundwork for a portfolio as varied as the culture he's visited. He adapts and thrives across music areas has been demonstrated through his work on commercials, leading to the creation of hundreds of scores for top advertising agencies and production houses. His compositions have supported iconic brands such as Porsche, Saleen, Michelin, and McDonald's, among others.

Career History

2008–2011: Early Career and Work in Sony/ATV Music Publishing

Yiyang Zhou began his professional career in the music industry as an in-house composer and sound engineer at Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Beijing) Co., Ltd., located in Shanghai, China. From 2008 to 2011, Yiyang was instrumental in creating music for TV commercials and other projects, contributing to both Sony/ATV Music Publishing Shanghai and Sony Music Entertainment. This early experience provided Yiyang with a solid foundation in the industry, where he honed his skills in composition and sound design.

2011–2020: Founding of Overlap Studio and Collaboration with Digital Domain

From 2011 to 2020, Yiyang Zhou established himself as a leading composer and sound designer by founding Overlap Studio Inc. in Shanghai, China, where he delivered high-quality music and sound design services for top global brands such as Porsche, Saleen, Michelin, and McDonald's. His studio's success led to a significant collaboration from 2017 to 2018 with Digital Domain, a leading VFX company founded by James Cameron. As Music & Audio Lead, Yiyang integrated the audio department with the VFX and Animation teams, creating a comprehensive service platform for film and television clients, which showcased his ability to merge music, sound design, and cutting-edge visual effects technology.

2017–2020: Collaboration with Zide Guqin Studio

Between 2017 and 2020, Yiyang Zhou engaged in a meaningful collaboration with Zide Guqin Studio 自得琴社, focusing on the fusion of traditional Chinese music with contemporary elements. During this period, he co-composed several notable pieces, including Fishermen Singing in the Sunset 《醉醉鱼，唱唱晚》，Yangguansandie《折柳阳关》 and Leji 《乐极》. These compositions were performed by a skilled ensemble featuring traditional instruments such as the Guqin, Xiao, Zhong Ruan, and various percussions. The performances were held at esteemed venues like the Shanghai Concert Hall , Guangzhou Opera House , Nanjing Poly Grand Theatre, Quanzhou Grand Theatre, and Foshan Grand Theatre,flecting Yiyang's dedication to blending historical musical traditions with modern sensibilities. This collaboration underscores his commitment to both preserving and innovating within the genre of traditional Chinese music.

2020–Present: Expansion and Key Collaborations

Since relocating to Toronto in 2020, Yiyang Zhou has continued to expand his career by collaborating with various creatives across multiple disciplines. He worked closely with director Dennis Tae Wook Kim on the film Swallow Dance , and Whisper where his music and sound design played a crucial role in enhancing the film’s emotional depth and narrative. Yiyang also working for Horizon Blockchain Games as a composer and sound designer for the game Skyweaver, contributing to its dynamic and immersive audio experience. Currently, in addition to working on his own album, he is also collaborating with R. Grunwald on an upcoming album that blends experimental electronic music with chamber elements, further showcasing his versatility and passion for innovative musical storytelling.

Discography

Albums

• Ancient Sceneries (2024)

Singles

• Jack and Agatha (2024)
• Wolong (2024)
• The War of Baiyue (2024)
• Eden - Brass Reworks from Hania Rani (2024)
• One (2024)

Collaborations

• Fishermen Singing in the Sunset collaborate with BinTang 唐彬 (2017)
• Yangguansandie《折柳阳关》 collaborate with BinTang 唐彬，Di Zhang 张笛, Se Huang 黄瑟 (2018)
• Leji 《乐极》collaborate with BinTang 唐彬，Di Zhang 张笛, Se Huang 黄瑟 (2018)

Reference

1. Yiyang Zhou 周一阳 's collaboration with Zide Guqin Studio (自得琴社) on the pieces Fishermen Singing in the Sunset (《醉醉渔，唱唱晚》), Yangguansandie (《折柳阳关》), and Leji (《乐极》) was performed at the Shanghai Concert Hall. Bilibili, 2021.
2. Yiyang Zhou 周一阳's collaboration with Zide Guqin Studio (自得琴社) on the pieces Fishermen Singing in the Sunset (《醉醉渔，唱唱晚》), Yangguansandie (《折柳阳关》), and Leji (《乐极》) was performed at the Guangzhou Opera House. Guangzhou Opera House, 2021.
3. Yiyang Zhou score for Swallow Dance Curation Hour, 2023.
4. Yiiyang Zhou's Album Ancient Sceneries - Review Insight Music, 2024.

External links

• Official website
• Yiyang Zhou at IMDb