Meet Jolin Jiang | Chinese-Australian Composer & Ethnomusicologist

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

Hi Jolin, is there something you believe many others might not?
One piece of conventional advice I disagree with pertains to blindly adhering to hierarchical structures without questioning the underlying reasons or merit behind certain decisions or beliefs. I find it problematic when loyalty is solely tied to personal relationships rather than being based on merit or rationale.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My musical style reflects my cross-cultural upbringing in Shanghai and Sydney, as well as a freedom-loving spirit. I’m passionate about bringing ethnomusicological knowledge and fieldwork research into contemporary creations. I create music that forges connections with lands and places, and incorporates endangered sounds, non-Western knowledge and instruments, and elements of East Asian aesthetics.

Several of my compositions have gained exclusive global publications, and projects I’ve contributed to have received recognition from The Sydney Morning Herald. My recent composition, “Take Me to the Windmill,” premiered at the Australian Flute Festival. The unwavering support and guidance from the incredible individuals I’ve encountered have been instrumental in my journey. The most challenging aspect has been maintaining persistence—I must constantly write/create, and refine my art, while constantly networking to establish my presence. It’s a delicate balance between inward artistic growth and outward visibility; both demand consistent effort.

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned the value of kindness and humility. I’ve observed that many esteemed industry leaders possess remarkable humility. Additionally, embracing feedback has been pivotal. it’s important to be aware that those courageous enough to provide constructive criticism genuinely aim to aid improvement. Although it can be challenging, I think it is crucial to welcome criticism to advance my craft. Ultimately, I want my music to evolve and resonate better with listeners.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Surry Hills, the Rocks, and the Art Gallery of NSW are excellent starting points for exploring Sydney. Consider booking a concert at the Sydney Opera House for a memorable experience.

If we were close friends, I would insist on traveling by renting a car and letting Google Maps guide the way to wherever it leads.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been fortunate to cross paths with many incredibly kind individuals throughout my journey. I would like to acknowledge my musical mentors and friendtors in the order I met them. They are composers, musical producers, ethnomusicologists, musical archaeologists, and Chinese musical specialists whose knowledge and generosity have shaped and inspired my musical career and choices. They are: Pavle Cajic, Amy Jørgensen, Andrew Scott, Dr. Mark Oliveiro, Simone East, John Jingdao Ling, Dr. Daniel Rojas, Dr. Catherine Ingram, Dr. Lulu Liu, Dr. Zhu Guowei.

Website: https://jolinjiang.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolinjiangmusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6EvOyDmLk4Ii5Zfw401mtQ

Image Credits
Photo with an orchestra: Nathan Isaacs Photo of me with sheet music looking at the camera: Nathan Isaacs Photo of me conducting choir rehearsal: Nathan Isaacs Photo of me holding a fan: Connor Malanos