Meet Maddie Stephenson | Film Composer, Songwriter & Pianist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maddie Stephenson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maddie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Although I’ve been involved in music ever since I can remember, it took me a rather long time to realize why it meant so much to me. Both my parents are professional musicians, and so my siblings and I grew up playing various instruments; mine was (and is) the piano. Some of my earliest memories consist of attending the symphony, or listening to my parents practice around the house. I can still remember the warmups my dad used to play on the trumpet when I was a kid.

Through high school, it appeared as though the only option for me as a musician was to pursue a career as a classical pianist. At the time, I knew that path wasn’t right for me, but for some reason I didn’t consider composition. Maybe some part of me thought it wasn’t possible, being a woman. Growing up, all the classical composers I learned about were men. Maybe a career in composition simply seemed unsustainable – more effort than it was worth. I’m so glad I changed my mind.

During my freshman year at Boston University, where I was studying Psychology, I came to the realization that music was really the only option for me. It is the one thing in the world that I understand, and I cannot imagine a life in which I’m not pursuing it. I want to affect others with my music in the way music affects me. As long as I keep that in mind, a career in the arts doesn’t seem so daunting.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My first steps into the compositional field were through the lens of songwriting. When I was around ten, I began writing and singing songs with my younger sister, Kate. We both attended Interlochen Center for the Arts for their songwriting program in the summer of 2016. My time at Interlochen was difficult at first, as I hadn’t yet had formal education in the compositional field. But man, was it inspiring to be there. It was through the study and practice of songwriting that I found my passion for writing melodically. When a melody is just right, it has a certain magic to it, and I love the process of finding that magic. I think songwriting at Interlochen was the first time I thought to myself, “Huh… maybe I could do this professionally.”

While studying composition at Boston University, I learned more about the methodology and planning that goes into writing a concert piece. My private instructor, John Wallace, taught me that composing is so much more than just hearing something in your head and writing it down. It was at BU that I found my love for using motives as a writing tool. There is a subtlety to writing motivically, and while greatly helping to tie a piece together, using motives is also fun – it’s kind of like creating your own puzzle, or having an inside joke with yourself as a writer. I’m so grateful for my time at BU; I was challenged to write music that I never imagined I could. I’m especially grateful to the people I collaborated with during my time as an undergraduate. Because of their belief in me, I was able to write pieces for so many different instruments and ensembles, and I was even given the chance to write a musical, which has been a dream of mine since I began songwriting.

My writing style has grown throughout the years, and I’d like to think that it has evolved into a blend of songwriting and concert composition. I love to use subtle motives and be slightly unpredictable. To me, the slightest of changes of a harmony, texture, or rhythm can often speak much louder than something with a lot of drama. Working with film & TV challenges me to tap into the emotional depths of my music, but not in an in-your-face kind of way.

I have always been a huge fan of film and TV soundtracks, though I never dreamed I’d have the opportunity to pursue film composing as a career. I am so grateful to be at New York University, working toward my Master’s in Screen Scoring. During my time here, I’d love to explore the way I use texture when I compose, as that is without a doubt becoming a huge part of contemporary film/TV music. There is more to this craft and industry than I could have ever imagined, and being surrounded by so many successful students and professors is truly humbling. I’m excited to find out where I’m headed next.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many places to go in New York! Having only lived here for about a year, I can’t say I’m an expert, but I do have some favorite neighborhoods that I’d have to show off. I used to live in lower Manhattan, and I always loved walking home from school through Nolita and into Little Italy. There’s such a good energy in those neighborhoods, and the food is of course incredible. Elizabeth Street Garden is probably one of my favorite spots in Manhattan… it is a great place to have a coffee and read a book. Thai Diner on Kenmare & Mott also rocks; I had the best spicy margarita there!

I just recently moved to Brooklyn and am having the best time exploring what it has to offer. I’m in love with the feeling of community here, and if you’re looking to step away from the hustle & bustle of Manhattan, I’d definitely suggest checking it out. I’d recommend Campbell & Co in Williamsburg – they have excellent coffee and about a million other food & drink items. Prospect Park is incredible for a picnic and a walk. If you’re looking to have a drink, I love Night of Joy, Blinky’s, and Mad Tropical.

Some other neighborhoods that I really enjoy are the West Village, Astoria, Prospect Heights, and Bushwick. I’m excited to find more cool places too, so if anyone has any recs, I’d love to hear!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The first people I must thank are my parents. I feel like I won the lottery with them; they have given me their full support in each and every one of my endeavors. They are responsible for virtually all of my music education, and I never would have come this far without them. Mom and Dad: thank you, thank you, thank you.

To my many teachers – Claire & Ralph Neiweem, John Wallace, Mandy Hoffman, Linda Jiorle-Nagy, Robert Bassill, Haris Kittos, and Richard Cornell, to name but a few: I have learned a lifetime’s worth of knowledge from each and every one of you, and your collective influence has allowed me to find my voice and my passion. My sincerest gratitude to you all.

There are so many artists, musicians and beyond, who have inspired me throughout the years – too many to name. I am guilty of finding myself listening to the same music over and over again from time to time, and although that can be therapeutic, it does not allow for me to grow. I encourage whoever is reading this to keep exploring new music, films, TV shows, visual art, literature – anything! There are so many incredible pieces of art out there that are begging to be discovered, and there is no better feeling than experiencing something beautiful for the first time.

Website: https://www.maddiestephenson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddiestephenson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madelyn.stephenson.7/

Spotify1: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1C4c6bFnjoCJfSMfddE3Ja?si=jpiIRJkcQ_2j6xTMqpwHSA

Image Credits
Meghan Cronin