Hi Caitlin, thank you for joining us! To start, could you please give us some background on yourself- how you landed in composing, and your musical backstory?

Thank you so much for having me as part of the Members Spotlight! AWFC has been such an important part of my first few months in Los Angeles, so it’s lovely to have the chance to reflect on my journey.

Music has always been my way of making sense of the world. Having studied classical and jazz piano from a young age, I soon realised that I was just as passionate about creating music as I was performing it. Composition became a natural extension of my musical journey, allowing me to explore emotions and ideas from a different perspective.

That passion eventually led me to Berklee College of Music, where I studied Film Scoring and Jazz Composition. Berklee completely expanded my musical world, both through the incredible people I met and the opportunity to collaborate with musicians, composers and filmmakers from across the globe.

Today, my music is rooted in that classical background but is equally inspired by more contemporary and atmospheric sounds. I love blending orchestral writing with electronics, prepared piano, and organic textures to create scores that feel immersive, emotionally driven, and deeply connected to the story.

You landed in Los Angeles by way of Berklee College of Music, but you’re originally from the UK. What’s your nomadic journey been like- how has it affected your music (or has it?)

I’ve been incredibly fortunate that music has taken me around the world and introduced me to so many inspiring people.

Growing up in South London, I was surrounded by an amazing jazz and contemporary classical scene that encouraged curiosity and experimentation. Alongside that, my Irish heritage meant I also grew up listening to Irish folk and rock music, which gave me an appreciation for melody, storytelling, and the way music can carry identity and history.

Studying at Berklee was an incredibly formative experience. Working alongside musicians with different influences, experiences, and approaches to music encouraged me to experiment and continue developing my own voice.

More than anything, it’s the people I’ve met who have had the biggest impact on me. Every collaboration and conversation teaches me something new, and those human connections continue to shape both my music and the way I approach scoring.

You’re currently working at Arata Music with Steve Jablonsky- can you tell us more about this? What kind of work are you doing, what have you learned, and what are you looking forward to?

I’m currently working as a Technical Assistant at Arata Music, Steve Jablonsky’s studio, which has been an incredible opportunity to learn from such an experienced team.

My role involves supporting the technical side of the studio, assisting with sessions, managing workflow, preparing systems, and helping keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. It’s given me a much deeper appreciation for everything that goes into a film score beyond writing music itself.

One of the biggest lessons has been seeing the level of organisation, collaboration, and attention to detail required to bring a score to life. It’s easy to focus purely on the creative side, but there’s so much craftsmanship involved in making the entire process work seamlessly.

I’m also really excited to be learning from the incredibly talented women who help lead the studio. Composing can often be quite a solitary profession, so being part of such a collaborative environment has been both inspiring and refreshing.

What does community mean to you? Before landing in LA, you were involved with the Women’s Film Initiative at Berklee- can you tell us more about this program and how community makes a difference in your individual life/career?

One of the greatest privileges of being a musician is being part of the community that surrounds it. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet people who constantly inspire me, not only to become a better composer, but also a more thoughtful collaborator and person.

To me, community is about lifting each other up, celebrating one another’s successes, and creating spaces where everyone feels encouraged to grow. The relationships I’ve built have shaped my career just as much as any class or project.

I was especially lucky to be at Berklee during a time when the Women’s Film Initiative was thriving. Thanks to the incredible women who built and led the organisation, it became such a welcoming and inspiring space. I learned so much from my peers, found mentors and friends, and always felt encouraged to develop my own voice while staying authentic to who I am as an artist.

What is a memorable project you’ve worked on, and why?

One of the most memorable collaborations I’ve had has been working with the incredibly talented Spanish artist Isabella Ferreiro.

Her work is so beautiful. Everything from her use of colour, emotion and visual storytelling aligns so closely with the kinds of worlds I love creating through music. Over the past nine months we’ve collaborated on four different animations, each one exploring completely different ideas and emotional worlds.

Every project has challenged me to find a new musical language, whether that’s ambient electronics, intimate piano writing, or expansive orchestral textures. It’s been such a rewarding creative partnership because we’ve been able to grow together, and she has constantly inspired me to explore new directions.

What’s on the horizon for you next? Where do you want to be going, and what are your dreams and aspirations within film scoring?

I’m currently working on my first album, which has been a really exciting opportunity to explore my own musical voice outside of picture.

Alongside that, I want to continue taking on as many projects as possible across a wide range of genres and styles. Every film presents a new challenge, and I’m always excited by projects that encourage me to explore new creative directions. The more opportunities I have to learn, collaborate, and experiment, the more I grow as a composer.

Ultimately, my dream is to build a career collaborating with passionate storytellers to create music that allows people to truly feel something. I think that’s the power of film music, to connect with people emotionally long after they’ve left the cinema.

Interview by Connor Cook

Check out Caitlin’s Directory Page here!