Music Composer

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Triumphant, big, bold, rich, sensitive, dynamic

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: A piece I composed called "The Great Wild" marked a new chapter for me, as a composer. For so long, I've had so many personal music ideas growing in my head. Shortly after a heavy life event, I had my gut-check moment: "life is too short. What are you waiting for? Go make them real - ALL of them!" Since composing and producing "The Great Wild," my music software is never NOT turned on and open with a current project. This'll read a bit cheesy, but... our lives themselves are beautiful music. I figure that, with the time we have, we ought to share 'em as much as we can. Whether we work together, or not: good vibes to you on your journey.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A big band/orchestra duet for a man and woman to sing. Dialing in the lyrics, then diving in to recording.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Aside from live-recorded instruments (acoustic guitar, violin, clarinet, etc.), digital all the way - it makes for a faster and more efficient workflow. HOWEVER, if there's a sound that's just perfect - and can only be accomplished in analog - then analog it is.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: My promise is that we will find the song you're after, together.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That it's also my passion.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: "Can you make it sound like there's an orchestra playing in my song?" Answer: Yes.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That I simply drag, drop, and splice pre-existing sound files.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your deadline?

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Be excited to tell me about your song! The more I know about it, the better (and faster) we can manifest what you hear in your head and heart.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Kawaii baby grand piano, Sennheiser HD 280 PRO headphones, 256 GB iPod loaded with favorite songs and film scores (would say iPhone, in case of a signal to be rescued, but that's not the point of this question), solar charger for iPod, sunglasses

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I started composing music professionally for local to international clients, in 2007. A few years later, I started scoring films. It's been a blast, and the creative projects keep coming. I love it.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Sara Watkins (singer, songwriter, fiddler). She has a stunningly beautiful crystal-clear voice that is so pure and warm.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If an element does not sound good to your ear, then lose it or find something better. Just because a tool, virtual instrument, effect, etc. might be hyped by marketing or sound effective in other works, doesn't mean you absolutely have to use it in yours, if it's just not working.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Orchestral covers/arrangements/additions, Film Scores

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Orchestral arrangements

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Time, attention, and great care. It's YOUR song, and it's my goal to make it sing beautifully.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: You give me a healthy explanation of what you're after, and I produce a first draft. From there, we refine using clear and thorough communication. One or two drafts later, we've arrived at the final draft.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: East West Studios Virtual Library, Logic Pro X, PreSonus Qutnum 2626 Interface, Roland Fantom X8 (keyboard), AT4040 (mic)

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: John Powell, Rachel Portman, Ralph Vaughn Williams, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Hans Zimmer

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Orchestral additions to songs, orchestral arrangements of existing songs, creation of orchestral songs from scratch/collaborator's concept