Welcome to Empathetic Musicians! Today on the podcast, I have my dear friend Madison Kaminsky talking about her experience as a female composer and what film scoring means to her. Madison is a Composer in Los Angeles, California and her first solo piano album is out on Spotify! She graduated from Sonoma State University where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in composition (Class of 2020) and is a graduate of the UCLA Extension Program for Film Scoring (2022). I’ve known Maddie since our days at Oak Park High School and am thrilled to have you tune in to her personal story in such an exciting and challenging industry. 

“A composer’s net worth can be anything… in general it’s such a hard business to break into, it’s really all about the connections.” 

“I want to see myself being the John Williams of the industry, but female composer version.”

Highlights:

(5:19) In-Studio Experience (Library Session) for the UCLA Extension Program for Film Scoring

(10:40) Unwanted Energy received during a networking situation 

(18:50) Free vs. Paid Work as a Female Composer 

(22:50) Booking her First Commercial as a composer

(26:50) First Composition Experience Connected to a song on her First Solo Album

(33:50) Film Scoring Cultivates Emotion in a Film

(36:05) Who experiences movies for free in their brain?

(39:33) The idea of the Universe Supporting us

As always our core values are Vulnerability, Imperfections, Empathy, and Being Seen.

Connect with Madison:

Instagram - @madisonkaminskycomposer

TikTok - @maddie_rey_

Website - https://www.madisonkaminsky.com/

Connect with me:

Instagram - @releasewithsophia