Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlotta Romano

Hi Carlotta, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I’m Carlotta Romano, an Italian composer for film and media, based in New York City. My journey with music began at five, with the violin becoming my first attraction into the music world. Years of training at the Conservatory in Rome and playing in orchestras led me to the piano, through which I discovered the joy of composing. I would enjoy spending hours shaping melodies that expressed who I was as a little artist. I would think of a title and would make sure to stick with the theme in mind. That made me realize I love writing to a concept, an idea. And soon came to discover that film was able to give me that. At 14, I moved from Italy to Abu Dhabi, where my passion for singing and performing flourished. After earning my degree at Bristol University in the UK, I moved to New York in 2022 to pursue a Master’s in Screen Scoring. Now, as a freelance composer and singer, I combine my skills to craft music that brings stories to life.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

To succeed, you have to embrace failure. Often, we’re our own biggest obstacle—our mind gets in the way, making everything feel harder to reach. Self-doubt creeps in, and suddenly you wonder if you’re even capable of achieving your goals. But here’s the truth: most times, we are totally capable of doing it. I try to keep my outlook bright. I’ve been fortunate in many ways—like when, as a child, my mom supported my dream of playing the violin at five, or how moving across countries has helped me discover new sides of myself, both musical and personal. I choose to not dwell on the negatives too much, because they can easily cloud my focus. My ultimate goal has always been clear: to write music that tells stories.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

As a film composer, I need to be able to communicate with the director and team in order to elevate the storytelling through music. I often like to incorporate my own vocals or violin into my compositions, as I feel it adds a personal and distinctive layer to the sound. After recently earning my Master’s in Screen Scoring from NYU, I joined the music team at Konsonant Music, working alongside acclaimed documentary composer Gil Talmi. I’m especially passionate about scoring documentaries—the way music can guide us through different emotional worlds within the same narrative is something that deeply captivates me. I also love composing for films and thrillers, which give me the freedom to be more experimental and tap into my creative instincts. What sets me apart is not only my ability to get the job done efficiently, but my strong listening and communication skills, which help me understand and deliver on the vision of each project.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?

I believe AI is rapidly advancing into creative fields, including the music industry. While some roles may be taken over by machines, I don’t think real art can be created by AI. Who would want to sit in a theater, only to discover that the music was generated by a robot? There’s something irreplaceable about the human touch in art, and I think many of us would feel the limitations of AI in that space. That said, I see AI being useful for the more mechanical tasks that don’t require much creativity, which could actually be a benefit. But I also believe that we, as humans, will continue to take charge, producing incredible scores, films, and creative works. It makes me wonder what the next big musical hits will be in 5-10 years, how perfectionism will shape us as composers, and what audiences will enjoy most in film music moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carlottaromano.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlottaromano_/