We were lucky to catch up with Jean-Jacques Schoch recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jean-Jacques thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was eleven years old, a school friend asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. “Music composer” came out of my mouth and it kind of surprised me because I had never consciously thought about that before. But it also left me with excitement because all of sudden I felt like I knew exactly what I truly wanted to do in my life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I grew up in Bethesda Maryland, near Washington D.C. to parents who had immigrated from Switzerland. My three brothers and I were exposed to classical music at an early age.

When I was around ten years old, my father had the idea that his four sons would make a great string quartet, so I was soon studying Cello and shortly we were performing at all types of events in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
I also sang in several local choirs.

As I entered my teens, I started learning other musical instruments and was soon performing on bass, guitar, and piano in various local bands. And more importantly, I started composing music and writing songs.
I became obsessed with composing and was soon spending most of my time at the piano dreaming up melodies and cool chord progressions. That’s when I decided that I should study and learn music professionally.

After studying music composing, arranging and piano at Montgomery College in Rockville Maryland, I was asked to come to Los Angeles to write music for a producer who created commercials.

Relocating to LA was very exciting, and I quickly discovered that there were so many fantastic musicians and fun bands to play with.
I had also read a quote from Quincy Jones, the composer and producer, that the modern composer should really understand the recording studio and how to best exploit the the tools of the studio. He implied that the recording studio was now the ideal platform for composers to realize their creations, as opposed to the traditional orchestra.

So I built my own recording studio and was soon producing and arranging songs and instrumental music for clients and friends.

Over the years I have branched out to include creating (directing and editing) videos, and love blending music with visuals.

What I love most about what I do is helping other songwriters and musicians realize their vision.

And I get very excited every time I come up with an inspired new musical creation.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started composing music I thought that my music needed to be clever so that I could show off how well I had mastered music theory and arranging styles

But after a long while I learned that cleverness doesn’t truly resonate with the listener. What resonates is how the music or art makes the listener FEEL.

So I had to unlearn how to be a smarty-pants nerdy composer and write music that is highly emotional and truly moving.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

There’s a lot of suffering in the world and in our communities. And many of us creatives have “limiting beliefs” and “crippling self doubt” about what we do.

I have always been strongly driven to help inspire and lift people whether through my music, videos or friendships.

People have shared that my piano music was important during the birth of their child, or even during mediation.

That gives me much joy!

Contact Info:

• Website: Jjschoch.com