Meet AviShai Dayanim | Composer for Media

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

Hi AviShai, what are you inspired by?
Stories. Since I was a child, I have had a deep love for stories, particularly films and books. I remember staying up many nights, reading the newest fantasy novel from my school’s library, transporting myself into an imaginary world. At the time, I think I assumed that my love for stories wasn’t unique and didn’t give it much more thought than that. My”aha!” moment, however, came with watching a film that is now a favorite of mine: Cinema Paradiso. The actual story, a coming of age tale, was so simple, yet so captivating. To me, the score itself, written by the great Ennio Morricone, perfectly captured the entire story without ever using a word. Throughout the film, I remember this unexplainable feeling of awe and this wave of emotions that crashed onto me during the final scene. The film provided this bubble, isolated from the rest of the world, and I could just experience feelings. To this day, that moment has resonated with me, reminding me of the power and magic that is unique to telling stories, and now, it has become my dream to emulate and spread that feeling to others in the language I know best, music.

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.
I am a composer, an orchestrator, a producer, and foremost, a storyteller. Whether it is a film, videogame, show or podcast, it is my job to help push and elevate any story through a musical accompaniment. I personally pride myself on crafting sonic worlds or soundscapes (sound-landscapes). I believe there is a world of music beyond melody and harmony, one which is entrenched in color and sound. I want the music to feel like it is part of the setting, not accompanying it.

I am a sophomore Dual Degree student pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music for New Media and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the Peabody Institute and Johns Hopkins University. I still have much to learn, but most of my work has come by putting myself out there. I am an audio intern at Impact Soundworks, a music software company. This opportunity has allowed me to really dive deep into the technical side of scoring, which I am very passionate about. The folks there are beyond talented and have helped me hone skills that are vital in the professional film scoring industry, such as sample editing, instrument creation, demo writing and detailed file management. Working with Impact Soundworks has also opened the doors for me to work as the Studio Assistant at Peabody, in which I oversee the Music for New Media studios by maintaining and updating the software and equipment. Beyond that, my freelance media scoring career has developed from building a presence and reaching out to people on social media, establishing meaningful connections and not being afraid of or discouraged by rejection.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live right outside of Washington D.C., and during the academic year within Baltimore, Maryland, and there is truly so much to explore around both areas. Starting off in Washington D.C., as a museum lover, I would say a day exploring the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum is a must. A stroll through the shops and galleries of the Georgetown neighborhood and a performance at The Kennedy Center will never disappoint. There are also plenty of areas to walk around and experience nature. I think fresh air and a break from the city is so important, and luckily, there are many places to do so, with a favorite of mine being in nearby Great Falls Park. In Baltimore, I really love Fells Point and the Inner Harbor. The National Aquarium is a great way to spend the day, and there are plenty of incredible eateries and restaurants to sample. And of course, the trip should be capped off with a visit to the George Peabody Library and a top-notch Peabody concert.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without a doubt, I would have to thank my parents. There isn’t a single person on this planet who has been as supportive, through the good and bad, as my parents have been. My mom is my biggest fan, always excited to listen to and share my projects. She is also a true inspiration, working incredibly hard to support me, my family, and all of our individual hopes and dreams, without ever asking anything in return (except for being my date to the Oscars!). On the other hand, my dad always helps me push my music to the next level. The two of us are very similar and I honestly believe he knows what I am capable of more than I do, and more often than not, his feedback pushes me to bring my music to its true potential.

Website: https://www.avishaidayanimmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avishai_dayanim_music/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avishai-dayanim-06025b224/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWjfS8FvxOnzdil7Ar0jSJA

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0WIuOKyVoafEkbmljbOF1c?si=q0TtMmTNR5mLwD5PF_1KQQ&nd=1&dlsi=05f1ef10fe2e4a1d