We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charlene Soo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charlene below.

Charlene, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was the kind of child who spent more time living in daydreams than in reality. Growing up in a community where pursuing the arts was considered taboo, I found comfort in three things: stories, music, and spaghetti bolognese. Life was heavy at times, and stories — whether in books, films, or games — gave me a place to escape. They made the world feel just a little safer.

I don’t remember exactly when my love for music began — but one of my earliest memories is asking my mom after kindergarten, “If people who dance are called dancers, are people who sing called singers?” When she said yes, I told her, “Then that’s what I want to be when I grow up — a singer.”

Life took its twists and turns, but film scoring became the natural meeting point of the two things that grounded me growing up: stories and music. It gave me a way to channel emotion into something bigger than myself — something that could comfort others the same way it once comforted me.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Sure! I’m Charlene Soo — a media composer and singer-songwriter from Singapore, now based in Los Angeles. My work lives at the intersection of melody, leitmotifs, emotion, and world-building. I specialise in composing original music for film, television, games, and other visual media, blending thematic orchestral writing with immersive electronic textures. Whether it’s a heartfelt short film, an animated series, or a documentary, I aim to serve the story by crafting a sonic world that resonates emotionally.

My recent credits include Aftershock, a space documentary short directed by Collin Nelson, recorded with a 59-piece orchestra in Budapest and studio musicians in LA. I’ve also worked across short films, animation, and interactive media, and have recorded at studios like Warner Bros. and Evergreen in collaboration with AFM musicians. Academically, I also hold a Master’s in Screen Scoring from USC and a joint honours degree in Music and Communication from the University of Liverpool, which included a year at The University of Western Australia majoring in Electronic Music and Sound Design.

Ultimately, I want potential clients and collaborators to know that I care deeply about their stories — both on-screen and off-screen — and my dream is to write melodies and leitmotifs and build soundscapes that help bring their vision to life.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had understood the power of community earlier in my creative journey. Having had the privilege of meeting so many incredible composers and musicians along my journey has taught me more than any book ever could.

Books and theory are, of course, incredibly important — but there’s nothing quite like writing a piece, or singing a song, and then sharing it with someone else for constructive feedback. Whether it’s a friend, a teacher, or even someone who doesn’t know anything about music, that act of exchanging perspectives has helped me grow not only as an artist, but also as a collaborator.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I always imagined I’d pursue a path as a singer-songwriter — that was the dream growing up. But during the final year of my undergraduate degree, I serendipitously discovered film scoring, and everything shifted. At first, it felt like I was betraying my younger self and her dreams. I had spent so long chasing one identity that pivoting felt like letting go of a part of who I was.

But over time, my perspective changed. I realised that becoming a media composer didn’t mean abandoning songwriting — it actually allowed me to expand it. The two disciplines blend beautifully. Many films and shows need both scores and songs, and being able to offer both is not only creatively fulfilling, but often deeply aligned with a project’s needs.

Now, I see that pivot not as a detour, but as a way of growing into something more whole — honouring the singer-songwriter I was, while embracing the composer I’ve become.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.charlenesoo.com
• Instagram: @musicbycharlene
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@charlenesoo

Image Credits

Juliet Pone, Christian Amonson, Owen Nathanael, Natalie Jenq