Greetings Curious Composers!!! Welcome to the Curious Composer Blog. I thought now would be a great time to tell you my story so you know the man behind the words and music.

BERKLEE AND THE DRIVE TO LOS ANGELES

I studied film scoring and music composition at Berklee College of Music. After graduating in 2013, I knew 100% I wanted to move to California. So I packed my bags, all my instruments, and started my journey across the country. I drove from Boston, to Annapolis, to Atlanta, to new Orleans, all the way through Texas, a quick stop in Vegas where I scored $50 on the slots, and finally ended up in Los Angeles California. It was an Amazing trip and if you have not taken a road trip across the United States, consider grabbing a family member or friend and hit the road. 

WORKING AS COMPOSER WITH NO DAY JOB

After arriving in Los Angeles $50 richer on October 3rd, 2013, I started looking to connect with film directors who needed a composer. I scored numerous short films, experimented with sound design, and honed my skills as a working composer. It was a wonderful time and I valued every opportunity that came my way. However, have you ever heard the phrase, “don’t quit your day job.” Well I didn’t even have a day job. The $50 I won in Vegas was long gone, and with the high cost of living in California I realized that I’d better start searching because my savings was diminishing at an uncomfortable rate. 

NO JOB INTERVIEWS

The great part about Southern California is that it’s full of fun places to work. The problem is getting the job with limited experience proved itself difficult. I applied like crazy to numerous companies I admired and wanted to work for, including Disney, Universal, DreamWorks, Pixar, 20th Century Studios, and many more. I spent the better part of three months sending out applications with customized Resumes and Cover Letters tailored to the needs to each job. I probably did like 60 with not a single interview. I’ll be real honest, I was applying for jobs I was not qualified for so I don’t blame them for not interviewing me. Maybe it was lack of experience? Maybe it was lack of connection? Maybe I was aiming too much for the stars? Whatever the case I was starting to wonder if the Music and Entertainment was for me.

BECOMING A PERFORMER FOR DISNEY

One day in early February of 2014, I was cruising the Disney Careers Website and stumbled upon an audition notice for Dancers for the Mickey’s Soundsational Parade at Disneyland. The first time I saw it I didn’t spend much time on it because, well, I’m a musician not a dancer. A few days later I was at the peak of my frustrations with my job search, I stumbled upon the audition notice again. At this point I knew what I was doing was not working, so trying something new was definitely needed. I watched a youtube video of Mickey’s Soundsational Parade on Youtube and realized with the variety of different roles in the parade including, dancers, characters, stilt walkers, puppeteers,  I thought maybe I had a chance

First Disney Audition

Two weeks later I found myself at my very first Disney audition. Both nervous and excited I was ready to show off all the dance skills I didn’t have. Oh man, for a non dancer it was very challenging. Twists, Turns, double pirouettes, fancy footwork in combination with what should have been easy arm movements, all at god speed barely giving me a chance to think. I don’t have two left feet, and with my music experience I had rhythm which maybe helped, however it does take me like 10 min just to get into a proper first position (the most basic standing position in Ballet). Anyway, Turns out they were only looking for experienced dancers so I didn’t make the cut.

Embarrassing myself in front of Disney casting didn’t scare me away. Because two weeks later I was once again in front of them ready to try again, this time for Disney’s Pixar Play Parade. Honestly, I was prepared to just embarrass myself again, however, I had nothing to lose so I gave everything I had to the dance they taught us. I wanted to make sure they knew that even though I couldn’t dance, I could perform, I could entertain, and my passion and willingness to put myself out there and learn new skills would make me a great Disney Parade Performer. I was successful in doing just that, however, not going to lie there was one point where I tripped and almost fell on my face.

To my surprise, they liked me, and on March 3rd, 2014 I was offered a job to be a Parade Performer at Disneyland. I went on to perform in Parades for the next six years. Over the years I performed in Pixar Play Parade, Paint the Night, Main Street Electrical Parade, Fantasmic, and several other small shows around the Disney parks. 

During those six years I continued to compose and produce music, dedicated myself to learning Jazz Piano (I was more a classical guy before), taught private piano lessons, and also did some stilt performing at Universal Studios Hollywood. 

Today, I continue to compose/produce music. After Covid, I decided to retire from Parade Performing. I was away from Disney for two years. But I just couldn’t stay away, in December of 2022 I returned, this time playing Piano for Disney Cruise Line.

CURIOUS COMPOSER is a project that has been evolving in my mind since 2019, I’m thrilled to finally share it with all of you. Let’s find joy in the creative process!!!

OTHER FUN FACTS ABOUT ME

  • I love coffee (A good iced latte is my favorite)
  • I love Coca-Cola (must be cold and have the perfect combination of carbonation and syrup)
  • I love going to the movies (AMC A-Listers is the best)
  • I love Podcasts. (How I Built This, Joe Rogan, and American Innovations just to name a few)
  • I love listening to and writing Film Music, Jazz, and Electronic Dance Music. (Alexandre Desplat, Thelonious Monk, Armin van Buuren)
  • Finally, I love my dog, a Yorkshire Terrier and Dalmatian mix. His name is Charlie Parker. 

Feel free to follow me on instagram

@skylar_vj

Feel free to follow Charlie

@Charlie_Parker_Mutt