For Tianyun (Yuna) Ye Steele, aka Lion Yep, music has been a lifelong calling. After spending almost a decade working in brand strategy in China, she made the bold decision to leave behind an established career, move cities, overcome language barriers, and pursue a dream that had been with her since childhood.
Growing up in China, Yuna was surrounded by music from an early age. Before starting school, she spent much of her time with her grandparents while her parents worked. Her grandfather, an amateur instrumentalist and sound engineer, played the erhu, keyboard and accordion. He regularly took Yuna to watch him accompany a Peking opera troupe on the erhu, and to local dance halls where he managed the sound desk.
“I grew up in the audience and beside the mixing desk,” said Yuna. “That’s where my love of music began.”
Yuna, aka Lion Yep, headshot. Photo credit throughout: Yueying Wang
Although music remained a constant passion, Yuna initially built a successful career in brand strategy and new media. Her work brought her into contact with many young artists, but always from behind the scenes. The desire to create music herself never faded.
The turning point came during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. While continuing to work full-time, Yuna began studying music production online with a tutor. Three years later, she left her role, relocated from Shanghai to Chengdu, and committed herself fully to music.
“I was in my early thirties and still holding on to this dream,” she said. “I knew that if I didn’t take the leap then, I would regret it.”
Yuna wearing cap and gown for MA Graduation
The journey was not without obstacles. “My English wasn’t strong, and passing the IELTS test was a real challenge,” she explained. “But a dream I’d carried for over twenty years was worth everything I had. Coming here was the result of real determination.”
When researching postgraduate study options, Leeds Conservatoire stood out for its practical approach and strong industry connections.
“I wanted a course that was hands-on and close to the industry, with real studios and the space to turn ideas into finished work,” Yuna said. “Leeds Conservatoire offered exactly that, along with a creative and supportive community.”
After receiving an offer to study MA Music Production, Yuna was also awarded a scholarship.
“In that moment, it felt like I hadn’t just chosen the conservatoire. It had chosen me too.”
Reflecting on her year of postgraduate study, and recent graduation, Yuna describes it as one of her most fulfilling experiences to date: “It was the fullest year of my life: intense, fast-paced and incredibly rewarding.”
Among the highlights was collaborating with undergraduate Music Production students on an R&B recording project that explored how different recording equipment can shape the texture and emotional impact of a vocal performance.
Her final major project was particularly significant. The album explored the relationship between humans and nature, incorporating field recordings and collaborative composition. One track was inspired by a fellow student’s dream about wandering through a forest. Yuna recorded the sound of a waterfall while hiking at Middle Black Clough and integrated it into the piece. The project also gave her the opportunity to learn Dolby Atmos mixing, expanding her understanding of sound and spatial audio.
Now based in Harrogate, Yuna plans to remain in the UK while pursuing opportunities that combine music and marketing, drawing on both her decade of professional experience and her newly acquired production skills.
“I’ll keep creating music as Lion Yep, making work that carries my own voice,” she said. “Further down the line, I’m also considering a PhD.”
For prospective students considering a similar path, Yuna encourages them to go for it:
“Don’t let age or language hold you back. Your life experience is your strength. It shapes what you have to say as an artist. Grab every opportunity, collaborate, ask questions, and make the most of every hour in the studio. Most of all, turn pressure into motivation, and enjoy every moment here.”
