Renowned composer a shy debutant

Lin Tian'ai is composing for a Broadway Musical that will likely open in New York in 2015. Photo provided to China Daily

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Initiated by Lin, who has volunteered her services to autistic children for the past six years, the gala has collected more than 7 million yuan ($1.14 million) to promote artistic skills among them.

Back in the studio, she is now composing for a Broadway musical that tells the story of a family from 1930s Shanghai. Directed by Bob Lewis, the musical will open in New York in October 2015.

"There is love, hatred, revenge and war. I will focus on psychological changes in people from that era," Lin says. She is looking to finish some 14 songs and other musical compositions for it, by year-end.

Born in Qingdao in Shandong province, Lin dreamed of becoming a dancer as a child. But at the age of 15, when she wrote a song from the dormitory of a dancing school, her songwriting career had effectively begun.

She put down her song on paper and mailed it to her idol, Hong Kong pop singer-actress Sammi Cheng Sau-man's record company, Warner Music in Hong Kong.

"I didn't know how the rhythm and lyrics jumped into my head. I just wanted her to sing the song," Lin says.

To her surprise, two months later, she received a reply from the company, telling her that Cheng liked her song. Sandy Lai, then-music director of the record company, even flew to Shanghai from Hong Kong to meet Lin's parents with a contract. Though her parents turned down the offer, the episode left Lin pining to write more songs.

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