[Photo provided to China Daily]

"They are simple and personal."

Jin learned to play the piano in childhood and participated in local school choirs. But his love for music went beyond his interest in history books once he realized he could play a complete piece after watching it on TV just once.

In 2007, he joined a conducting program at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing and learned chorus singing and songwriting on the side.A year later, Jin was transferred to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where he, along with some schoolmates, founded the Rainbow Chamber Singers in 2010.

At the beginning, all performances by the choir were for free.

In 2013, they had their first commercial concert in Ningbo, in Zhejiang province, and 80 percent of the tickets were sold, which boosted their confidence. Then they presented more shows in Shanghai that were well received.

Now, all founding members of the choir are studying abroad, except for Jin. Two years ago, he gave up an opportunity to study in Europe because, he says, he didn't want to leave the group in its infancy.

"I feel ecstatic when I hold the members' hands and bow before the audience after each performance," Jin says.