Meet Oscar Chang

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

Hi Oscar, how do you define success?
As long as I’m calm, safe, healthy, and doing the things I like. Keep moving forward. This is a success for me!

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’m a Taiwanese musical theater composer, lyricist, orchestrator, and music producer based in New York City. Renowned for my versatility across various musical styles, I expertly blend R&B and hip-hop elements into my compositions.

Back in childhood, I played in the school basketball team and I was going to be a basketball player. I love sports and am full of energy. I have loved Disney movies since I was a child until now. I watched lots of Disney movies and listened to all the Disney soundtrack. Since then, this sound and music have been deeply planted in my body.

In my elementary school, they would play an English song through the announcer to remind teachers of the time. Because of this, I had to keep listening to the same song every day. One day, I sat in front of my piano and slowly played the song from my memory, but I couldn’t play piano then. This was the first time I had a connection with music and composition.

After that, I started learning piano, composition, music arrangement, and orchestration.

In 2019, I made my professional musical debut with “Everybody Loves Musicals,” showcasing my original music, lyrics, and orchestrations. The production garnered critical acclaim and toured multiple cities and universities throughout Taiwan.
Since then, I have contributed as a composer, lyricist, and/or orchestrator to over 20 productions in both New York and Taiwan. I served as a music assistant for the production and original cast album recording of Suffs the New Musical. Currently working on Take A Quack At It!, the TYA musical with Carter Quinn Tanis and Timothy L. Michuda.

As a music producer, I have collaborated with numerous Golden Melody Award-winning artists and underground rappers, amassing over 4 million combined views on YouTube.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d say explore the vibrant Broadway Theater district and discover a show that suits your interests. With numerous theaters showcasing over 15 different performances each night, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Immerse yourself in the energy and creativity of New York City!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I consider myself fortunate to have met many talented and amazing people who have supported me throughout my musical writing journey.

First, I’d like to give a shoutout to Total Musical Theatre Company. They hired me as a composer and lyricist for their new musical production “Everybody Loves Musicals” in 2019. This was my first professional musical composition, and the production received many great reviews. Following that, I became a composer-in-residence at Total Musical Theatre Company, working as a composer, lyricist, and arranger. So far, we have collaborated on nearly eight productions.

After moving to New York, I had the pleasure of meeting many influential figures in the musical industry, including Michael Starobin, Andrea Grody, and Brad Alexander. They have given me tremendous support and numerous opportunities. I worked with Michael Starobin and Andrea Grody on the new musical SUFFS, and I worked with Brad Alexander as an orchestrator for “When Bugs Fly: The Epic Tale of The Nite Kite,” a children’s animation. I am deeply grateful for their support and the opportunities they have provided me!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oscarchang808/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004009046690

Image Credits
Esther Zhou Ryan Nava