The broader your studies, the more choices and opportunities you'll have when job hunting. — Yiwen SHEN

The Art Lighthouse Project returns with Teachers' Remarks V, a new season of inspiring conversations. This time, we sit down with faculty from across the School — performers, educators, and above all, mentors who guide with both mastery and heart. As students take the mic, dialogue unfolds between youth and experience, between curiosity and wisdom  — lighting the path for every dreamer on their musical journey.

"As I always say to composition students: the more you listen, the broader your experience, the greater your creative output can be."

In this episode, we feature Prof. Yiwen SHEN, Assistant Professor of Composition & Theory at the School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen. Prof. Yiwen SHEN offers insightful perspectives on an essential topic for our time: How does music shape students' inner worlds in an era of rapid technological change? As a composer and multidisciplinary artist, Prof. SHEN also shares his journey — from artistic development to professional choices — and reveals the valuable lessons he has gathered from working across diverse fields. Wrapping up the conversation, he offers students forward-looking advice on how to navigate their studies and careers in today's ever-evolving music landscape. A must-watch for any young musician charting their path!