Impact Culture NYC is a pioneering bilingual Asian American cultural institution and artist collective dedicated to shaping the next generation of creative leaders. Founded by award-winning soprano and educator Sandy (Ying) Li, we amplify youth voices, elevate cross-cultural performance, and reimagine what artistic leadership looks like in a global era.

Through bilingual programming, world-class showcases, talent development pathways, and collaborations across arts, education, and philanthropy, Impact Culture NYC creates platforms where young artists can shine — and where cultural heritage becomes a catalyst for innovation and community power.

We believe an artistic upbringing builds future leaders: empathetic, confident, and globally minded. Our mission is to champion these voices, invest in their growth, and amplify the stories that are lost in cultural chasms and sealed cultural silos.

We are the bridge—between languages, cultures, generations, and artistic worlds.  Where many organizations serve only Chinese-speaking communities, and others operate solely in English, Impact Culture extends into both worlds by inviting our cultural leaders to meet uniquely at the center. We open doors in both directions.

That is Impact Culture.

Our Founder & Executive Director

Sandy (Ying) Li

Ying was born into a family with music, though no-one had been formally trained, and formal pursuit of a discipline with such uncertain future was wildly discouraged. But since being on her first stage at age five, Ying was enchanted by the world of vocal and performing arts. Upon receiving her degree in Music Education, Ying received national recognition after winning first prize at a competition produced by Shenyang TV station in China. From then onwards, her creative journey led her to Beijing, eventually landing in the US, on her quest to study opera under Maitland Peters, Dean of Vocal Music Department at the Manhattan School of Music.

Following her debut solo concert in 2012, Ying’s creative life took a different trajectory - she joined Multicultural Radio Broadcast Group as their on-air program director and anchor. Under her leadership, arts programs and listener-engagement programs flourished. Her signature weekly show, “Dialogue With Artists” was also syndicated through SINO TV. The decade that followed, Ying’s voice became an anchor in the airwaves of the Chinese American Community.

Since her departure from the world of broadcasting, Ying founded Impact Culture Inc. to continue to advocate for and engage in purposeful and impactful cultural programs and projects that foster a deeper intercultural understanding and cultural exchange. Ying has been the artistic director of major bilateral performing arts events held at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Columbia University, Pace University, and American Dream.

Ying is actively engaged in advocacy work in the Chinese-American communities, and have devoted time to coaching Chinese-American candidates who ran for office. She has also served for the Mayor’s electoral campaign, and frequently supports grassroots initiatives. “It is the only way to truly transform our community”, she says, “those of us who are brave enough to fly also need to have an open sky.”

During the Covid hiatus, Ying turned to singing again, as well as documentary film-making. Her story, “Kitchen Melody” was both turned to art song and premiered at White Snake Project’s Essential Voices Sing Out Strong Series, and turned into a film that was screend at the long running APPI film festival, Asian American Film Thing.

Her interview series, “Face to Face in NY” continues to chronicle the stories of fascinating artists whose journeys have brought them to New York City, whether it be a moment or a lifetime.

Our CREATIVE Team

At Impact Culture, we make it our business and art to shake up the culture scene! We are a proud cross-cultural, multi-lingual, interdisciplinary talent tub. Our creative team hails from the top international conservatories, and are true mavens in their fields. Our team of artists and creatives wear many hats in the media, TV, music, and film industries. As culture is how we celebrate life, we’ve come together with our best ideas and best foot forward, so we could share with you the remarkable and extraordinary.

A true Third Culture creative, XiRen has spent more than two decades bridging Sino-American artistic spaces—guiding youth, institutions, and global brands toward deeper cultural fluency and more expansive narratives.
As Impact Culture NYC’s longtime Cultural Strategies and Music Director, she has shaped the organization’s signature sound and spirit, curating performances that weave contemporary creativity with diasporic heritage. Since 2018, she has served as the bilingual host of the annual Lunar New Year Spectacular.
A professional musician, DJ, actor, and voiceover artist, XiRen’s artistic fingerprints appear across global campaigns for leading companies and organizations. Her background in diplomacy, performance, and intercultural communication allows her to translate across creative, linguistic, and cultural worlds—work that has made her a sought-after high-level consultant on East–West narratives, youth arts development, and community-centered storytelling.
Whether directing music, crafting cultural strategy, or mentoring young artists, XiRen champions the next generation with a clear mission: to expand what AAPI youth believe is possible, and to build the stages where their voices can lead.

Camera & Art Lead
Jialun is a camera maven, with a wealth of background in photography, videography, and global brand campaigns. He has been in the world of fine-arts ever since his memory began, and now focuses on multi-media work. Jialun leads the art department in our stage and set designs, and can be seen capturing our best moments on stage and behind the scenes.

Jonathan Wu

MAKE UP ARTIST
Tanvir Shaheen

SOUND AND LIGHT ENGINEER
Dong Zhao & WEiRan

VOCAL ARTS PROFESSIONALS & COACHES

Our Show-runners

Culture is everywhere in the world, and so is our team. With a home base in NYC, we have remote team-members working from China as well as in Europe, joined together by a shared belief that nothing is unsolvable. We’re tenacious in our pursuit of a better future, and we believe that art is the way forward.

North America Regional Director
With a background in media, marketing, global branding and consulting, Wallace manages Impact Culture’s key events in North America.

Global Market Rep. & Project Manager
Design Director
Yue manages our bilateral projects and business relations with China.

Communications Manager
Stella is often seen between front of house and back-stage at our major events, leading the PA team to make sure that the show runs smoothly. Behind the scenes, Stella manages the myriad of communications we receive and send out. She’s a total star!

Join our team

想要成为我们团队的一员吗？

As we grow and expand, we are constantly needing a team to also grow and expand with us. A team who matches our energy, pace, vision and values. If you are fascinated with culture and the performing arts like we are, we are sure to have a spot on our team for you. We have both remote and on-site positions. Below is a sample range of what our work involves: