Chinese R&B Star Tia Ray Inspires AIM Sydney Students
When Tia Ray walks into a room, the energy shifts. One of Asia’s most dynamic voices, the Chinese R&B singer-songwriter from Hunan has built an international career blending soulful melodies with fearless creativity. After first capturing hearts on The Voice of China, she’s gone on to release multiple acclaimed albums, including the award-winning Once Upon a Moon, and collaborate with global names like Kehlani, Jason Derulo and Jackson Wang.
The Australian Institute of Music (AIM) Sydney had the honour of welcoming Tia to campus! In town as a headline performer for SXSW Sydney, she joined AIM students for an inspiring masterclass and Q&A that traced her journey from performing in small Beijing venues to achieving international success. During the session, Tia encouraged students to embrace individuality, take creative risks and explore fearless collaborations. Switching effortlessly between Chinese and English, she captivated the crowd with her humour, honesty and warmth…proving exactly why she’s one of Asia’s most influential artists.
A highlight of the day came when Tia coached and performed alongside four AIM Contemporary Performance students, creating an unforgettable moment that left the room buzzing with inspiration.
AIM extends a huge thank you to Tia Ray, Tencent, and the SXSW Sydney organisers for making this special visit possible, and for reminding the next generation of artists to keep creating, experimenting and dreaming big. Once-in-a-lifetime moments like this happen right here at AIM! Where students learn directly from the artists shaping the global music scene. Discover how you can turn your passion into a career.
