Ying was born into a family with music, though no-one had been formally trained, and formal pursuit of a discipline with such uncertain future was wildly discouraged. But since being on her first stage at age five, Ying was enchanted by the world of vocal and performing arts. Upon receiving her degree in Music Education, Ying received national recognition after winning first prize at a competition produced by Shenyang TV station in China. From then onwards, her creative journey led her to Beijing, eventually landing in the US, on her quest to study opera under Maitland Peters, Dean of Vocal Music Department at the Manhattan School of Music.

Following her debut solo concert in 2012, Ying’s creative life took a different trajectory - she joined Multicultural Radio Broadcast Group as their on-air program director and anchor. Under her leadership, arts programs and listener-engagement programs flourished. Her signature weekly show, “Dialogue With Artists” was also syndicated through SINO TV. The decade that followed, Ying’s voice became an anchor in the airwaves of the Chinese American Community.

Since her departure from the world of broadcasting, Ying founded Impact Culture Inc. to continue to advocate for and engage in purposeful and impactful cultural programs and projects that foster a deeper intercultural understanding and cultural exchange. Ying has been the artistic director of major bilateral performing arts events held at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Columbia University, Pace University, and American Dream.

Ying is actively engaged in advocacy work in the Chinese-American communities, and have devoted time to coaching Chinese-American candidates who ran for office. She has also served for the Mayor’s electoral campaign, and frequently supports grassroots initiatives. “It is the only way to truly transform our community”, she says, “those of us who are brave enough to fly also need to have an open sky.”

During the Covid hiatus, Ying turned to singing again, as well as documentary film-making. Her story, “Kitchen Melody” was both turned to art song and premiered at White Snake Project’s Essential Voices Sing Out Strong Series, and turned into a film that was screend at the long running APPI film festival, Asian American Film Thing.

Her interview series, “Face to Face in NY” continues to chronicle the stories of fascinating artists whose journeys have brought them to New York City, whether it be a moment or a lifetime.