Music
My background in music deeply informs how I approach design. Years of composing, performing, and collaborating have sharpened my sense of pacing, structure, and emotional storytelling—skills that carry directly into level design, gameplay systems, and user experience. Whether I'm shaping the arc of a level or fine-tuning moment-to-moment interactions, I draw on my musical instincts to design with intention and empathy.
Recording session for my original score to Phil for Short, a restored silent film I was commissioned to score after winning the Jon Vickers Film Scoring Award.
How my Musical Background Impacts my Design Process
When designing, I ask the same questions I use in my compositional process: how can I best tap into my audience’s emotions to create an experience that engages and resonates? How can I communicate abstract ideas in a way that is accessible to newcomers yet sparks wonder in those who yearn for depth and complexity? Like music, every design should go beyond just providing a clear framework—it should tell a story. It should conjure a world you can get lost in. This is my design philosophy, and it shapes everything that I do.
Rehearsal for my chamber opera commissioned by the Seattle Opera, working with singer and actress Ellen McLain (GLaDOS from Portal).
Collaboration and Leadership
My musical background has shaped me into a highly adaptable and dependable collaborator. As a composer, I’ve worked closely with directors, developers, dancers, producers, and artists across a wide range of disciplines—each with their own workflow and creative goals. Navigating these diverse collaborations taught me how to listen deeply, communicate clearly, and adjust my approach to fit the needs of the team. These experiences have carried directly into my work as a designer, where cross-disciplinary collaboration is essential!
Collaborating with a wide range of artists and leading ensembles of all sizes shaped how I listen, communicate, and create.
Performing Under Pressure
I thrive working under incredibly high stakes, and like any seasoned musician, have immeasurable experience working both independently and collaboratively to achieve ambitious deadlines and long-term goals. This harmony between self-motivated independence and effective teamwork is tantamount to any successful design project, and this unique perspective helped me grow my music and design businesses into a profitable freelance career.
I did both the music and sound design for Escape from Ever After while balancing my other roles as creative director and game/level designer.
A Unique Perspective
I've had a strange and exciting career, defined by my willingness to dive headfirst into new creative challenges whenever the opportunity arises. All of my experiences inform each other to make me both well-rounded and highly specialized when needed, which is key for any effective collaboration!