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

Gospel twins in tune with Beijing

Jazz player melds musical styles of East and West

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.