A music degree is not only about practising your instrument or completing assignments. It is also about learning how to think, create, collaborate and understand yourself as an artist.
By the time Xinna Wang completes her Bachelor of Music at The Australian National University (ANU), she hopes to have finished something she imagined long before beginning the degree: an album of her own original music.
Xinna is in the later stages of her studies, focusing on composition, music production and flute performance. Originally from China and now based in Canberra, she came to ANU with experience in performance, teaching, songwriting and online creative work, but wanted to understand music more deeply through formal study.
“The Bachelor of Music has allowed me to connect my practical experience with academic research, composition, production and performance,” she says.
She chose ANU for its research-led environment and supportive music community, drawn to a place that values creativity and critical thinking in equal measure. Canberra suited her too.
“It is quieter than larger cities, but still has a strong cultural, academic and community environment,” she says.
At the centre of Xinna’s current work is her album. She has already released some original songs and is continuing to develop the project through her studies, with the aim of presenting a more complete body of work by the end of 2026.
Some songs begin with a melody or chord progression, while others grow from an emotional idea or something encountered through songwriting and popular music studies. Bringing them to life requires her to move between music theory, composition, performance, arranging, recording and production.
“For me, this album represents more than a collection of songs,” she says. “It reflects the way music theory, composition, performance, recording and music production have come together throughout my studies.”
The School of Music’s computer labs and recording studios have allowed Xinna to carry those ideas from their earliest stages towards finished tracks. She uses music production software and MIDI keyboards to develop arrangements before moving into the studio to record and shape their sound.
A group recording project gave her the opportunity to recreate a vintage recording style from the late 1970s and early 1980s, working with voice, flute and other instruments. She is now applying that experience to her own contemporary music.
The degree has also changed the way Xinna thinks about performance. During the 2026 Fit to Perform program, a session on mental practice introduced her to the idea that musicians can continue learning through listening, imagination and reflection, even when physical practice is limited.
“That moment changed the way I understood practice,” she says.
Through the program, flute lessons and ensemble work, she began to see musicianship as more than technical accuracy. Breathing, posture, body awareness, preparation, communication and confidence all became part of how she approached performance.
Her experience in a Baroque ensemble offered another perspective. Performing with historical instruments, including a harpsichord and a nineteenth-century piano, showed her how instrument design, sound and historical context can shape musical expression.
Much of Xinna’s work also sits where music meets digital culture. She is particularly interested in how contemporary pop music is shaped by platforms such as TikTok, including the role of hooks, repetition, emotional immediacy and audience attention in song structure.
Her studies have encouraged her to see digital platforms not only as places to distribute music, but also as environments that influence how songs are written, produced, remixed and received.
Outside the classroom, Xinna teaches music, releases original songs and makes online creative content, drawing on her background in live-streaming, performance and social media. Some of her music has been used by short-form video creators online. She has also taken on student leadership responsibilities in residential life, connecting with students from different backgrounds and contributing to the wider University community.
After completing her degree, Xinna hopes to continue developing as a musician, composer and creative researcher. Although she is still exploring the exact direction she will take, she is interested in a career that brings together music-making, teaching, research and creative work across different platforms.
Her advice to future students is to stay open-minded and make full use of the opportunities around them.
“Don’t be afraid if your path is different from other people’s,” she says. “Your own background and experiences can become part of your strength.”
