Xu is a media and concert composer based in Los Angeles. He holds a Doctor of Music degree in Composition from Florida State University, as well as degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (M.M.) and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (B.M.). He also earned a professional M.A. in Media Composition from ThinkSpace Education, where he studied with industry veteran Kevin Manthai, and pursued additional studies with two-time Emmy Award–winning composer Hummie Mann. He writes music to challenge the traditional exotic stereotypes associated with Eastern music. His music has been performed by leading orchestras such as the Albany Symphony Orchestra, RIT Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Illinois Philharmonia Orchestra, Shanghai Opera House Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, North/South Consonance Chamber Orchestra, and ensembles such as Slee Sinfonietta, Divergent Quintet, Arditti Quartet, icarus Quartet, and Kamratōn ensemble. He formerly taught electronic music and aural skills at Black Hawk College. His recent score for the short film All Consuming won Best Original Score at the 2024 48 Hour Horror Film Project – Seattle, and he received a Best Music Nomination for Ostrich at the 2025 48 Hour Film Project – Seattle.

Xuesi Xu

PRO

Xu is a media and concert composer based in Los Angeles. He holds a Doctor of Music degree in Composition from Florida State University, as well as degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (M.M.) and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (B.M.). He also earned a professional M.A. in Media Composition from ThinkSpace Education, where he studied with industry veteran Kevin Manthai, and pursued additional studies with two-time Emmy Award–winning composer Hummie Mann. He writes music to challenge the traditional exotic stereotypes associated with Eastern music. His music has been performed by leading orchestras such as the Albany Symphony Orchestra, RIT Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Illinois Philharmonia Orchestra, Shanghai Opera House Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, North/South Consonance Chamber Orchestra, and ensembles such as Slee Sinfonietta, Divergent Quintet, Arditti Quartet, icarus Quartet, and Kamratōn ensemble. He formerly taught electronic music and aural skills at Black Hawk College. His recent score for the short film All Consuming won Best Original Score at the 2024 48 Hour Horror Film Project – Seattle, and he received a Best Music Nomination for Ostrich at the 2025 48 Hour Film Project – Seattle.

Available to hire

Xu is a media and concert composer based in Los Angeles. He holds a Doctor of Music degree in Composition from Florida State University, as well as degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign (M.M.) and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (B.M.). He also earned a professional M.A. in Media Composition from ThinkSpace Education, where he studied with industry veteran Kevin Manthai, and pursued additional studies with two-time Emmy Award–winning composer Hummie Mann.

He writes music to challenge the traditional exotic stereotypes associated with Eastern music. His music has been performed by leading orchestras such as the Albany Symphony Orchestra, RIT Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Illinois Philharmonia Orchestra, Shanghai Opera House Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, North/South Consonance Chamber Orchestra, and ensembles such as Slee Sinfonietta, Divergent Quintet, Arditti Quartet, icarus Quartet, and Kamratōn ensemble. He formerly taught electronic music and aural skills at Black Hawk College.

His recent score for the short film All Consuming won Best Original Score at the 2024 48 Hour Horror Film Project – Seattle, and he received a Best Music Nomination for Ostrich at the 2025 48 Hour Film Project – Seattle.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Electronic Music Adjunct Instructor at Black Hawk College
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Taught electronic music courses as adjunct instructor; responsibilities included course delivery and student mentorship.
Instructor of Record at Florida State University
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2022
Instructor of Record for music composition courses.
Game Music Composer at Little Adam Inc.
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019
Composed music for video games; worked with Shanghai-based company.
Graduate Research Assistant at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Graduate research assistant in music composition and related research.

Education

D.M. in Music Composition at Florida State University
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2022
M.A. in Professional Media Composition at ThinkSpace Education
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
M.M. in Music Composition at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
B.M. in Music Composition at Shanghai Conservatory of Music
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2015
Additional study at Hummie Mann
January 1, 2024 - December 1, 2025

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Gaming, Software & Internet, Professional Services