Meet Madison Anglin | Pianist & Film Composer

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

Hi Madison, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Ultimately, I pursued an artistic career because I never came across another field I was more passionate about. I didn’t become aware of the film scoring industry until I was in middle school but had always been surrounded by music in church and school growing up. I started out in piano lessons which taught me discipline and laid the foundation for music theory that would turn out to be very helpful down the road!

However, film scoring in particular came about when I was watching the Hunger Games for the first time with my dad in 2012. I was 13 years old and found myself riddled with emotions during a terrifying death scene paired with a score by James Newton Howard titled Rue’s Farewell. It was in this moment that I took note of the underscore and how it so beautifully but tragically encapsulated this young African American girl losing her life who was about the same age as me. After this film, I knew I wanted to make an impact in the same way. I wanted join the community of being an underdog when it came to creating film and telling stories. I realized that great film composers have the ability to write music most don’t notice because it so seamlessly meshes with the film itself; one solid piece of art made by several creators. There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to help bring someone else’s story to life through my own musical creation.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’d never thought I would be pursuing a career in the arts. In fact, when I was around 12 years old I wanted to become an engineer. However, that soon changed when I started taking classical piano lessons and eventually got the opportunity to attend Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, TX. This chapter of my life really gave me a taste of what it would feel like to pursue a career in the arts. On the other hand, while comparison, pressure, and high expectations could run rampant at times, I always found my way back to creating music. This was typically through seeing the amazing journeys of others I looked up to.

However, what keeps me going now is seeing the lack of representation of women of color in the music industry, especially film composing. One of my personal passions is uplifting others especially those who are overlooked in the arts. I’m most excited for getting the chance to show others who look like me that not only are their stories and gifts wanted but they’re needed.

If there’s something I’ve learned along the way to becoming a film composer, is that you have to celebrate even the smallest wins. My favorite affirmation is to celebrate the season you’re in no matter what it looks like. These days, it’s so easy to get caught up in achieving something bigger and better. While it’s great to focus on progressing, that can lead us down a hole of never appreciating the blessings we have been given now. I had no idea where I would be a year ago, but now in a span of 6 months I have received 4 films that I had the honor of writing the music for and it can only go up from here!I’m so blessed for all the opportunities I’ve received from the Screen Scoring Program at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and I hope to continue to make everyone who’s been on this journey with me proud.

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.
While living in the Big Apple, the possibilities are endless! I’ve recently discovered a fun and exciting way to enjoy what the city has to offer, and that’s talk show tapings! Requesting tickets is very simple and you’re able to see what goes on behind the scenes of making these segments come to life! Not to mention possibly seeing a celebrity in person!

I also have to throw some rooftop visits on the itinerary. During the summer especially, rooftops are a staple hangout spot for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) and getting a chance to see the skyline of the city from an amazing view. Some of my favorite rooftops are The Monarch, Somewhere Nowhere, and Upstairs at the Kimberly Hotel.

My favorite outings also include Korean BBQ, they’re fantastic for small or big group settings and include amazing selections that everyone will enjoy. I’m also a tea lover and have fell in love with Prince Tea House this past year. They’re in multiple locations but have the cutest, most elegant set ups at each location with a variety of food and drinks even if you’re not a tea lover. Every friend that comes to visit me will be taken to Prince Tea House. It’s a must.

To top it all off one of my favorite neighborhoods to explore is downtown Manhattan. Lower Manhattan brings you so close to the water which is breathtaking especially during sunset. You can go on a bike ride on the West Side Highway, stop along any of the piers and have a picnic or just people watch. It’s not as busy as being in midtown but you can still take in many aspects of the city from this area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While there are many teachers, organizations, and inspiring artists that have molded me up to this point in my career, I have to shoutout my parents for being the biggest support system during this journey. Even in the midst of doubt for wanting to pursue a career in the arts, my parents were and still are always there to encourage me, a luxury I know does not come easy for many young creatives. All of my piano lessons, drives to rehearsals, countless hours of hearing me practice piano, and the overall support to attend the prestigious schools that I’ve been blessed to be accepted into, have without a doubt led me to where I am today.

Website: madisonranglin.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madison-anglin-4737b2184/

Image Credits
Judith Hill