We recently connected with Leona Sigmund and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Leona , thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

One moment that really brought this into focus was late last year when I was juggling multiple projects—scoring a short film, preparing materials for a competition, and working on my website, all while handling my grad school deadlines. One night, I was in my apartment, staring at my DAW, exhausted. My coffee had gone cold hours ago, and I hadn’t eaten a real meal all day. My inbox was full of unanswered emails, and I knew I still had revisions to make on a piece that was supposed to be recorded soon. I remember sitting there and thinking: What if I just had a job where I could clock out at 6 p.m. and be done?

But as soon as I had that thought, something in me resisted it. Because as stressful as that moment was, I knew that if I stopped composing, something essential inside me would go quiet. The idea of walking away from storytelling through music—of not hearing my work come to life with live musicians, of not collaborating with directors and seeing my music shape a scene—felt unthinkable.

I think what I realized that night is that the creative path isn’t about choosing an easy or difficult life—it’s about choosing the life that feels most alive to you. And for me, even in the hardest moments, composing is what makes me feel most connected to myself and the world. The uncertainty is the price of that, but it’s one I’m willing to pay.

Leona , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Leona Sigmund, a multimedia composer with a passion for storytelling through music. My journey into composition has taken me across the world—I’ve studied music in Shanghai, Vienna, London, and now New York, where I’m pursuing a graduate degree in screen scoring at NYU. Along the way, I’ve scored films, anime, video games, and documentaries, always striving to craft immersive musical experiences that enhance the emotions and narratives of each project.

I got into this field because I’ve always been fascinated by the way music shapes stories. Whether it’s the sweeping orchestral scores of cinema, the intricate soundscapes of video games, or the emotive melodies in anime, music has the power to create deep connections between the audience and the story. I knew I wanted to be a part of that world, so I dedicated myself to learning both the technical and artistic aspects of composing for media.

I bring a global perspective to my work, drawing inspiration from my international background and training. My experience across multiple cultures and musical traditions allows me to create scores that feel rich, nuanced, and emotionally resonant. Additionally, my hands-on experience working with live musicians—whether through orchestral recordings or smaller ensemble sessions—means that I understand how to write music that not only sounds great digitally but also translates beautifully in live performance.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that composing is about control and perfection. Instead, I learned that great music comes from collaboration, adaptability, and being open to the unexpected. I realized that film scoring, game music, and orchestral composition are inherently collaborative arts. A film’s music isn’t just mine—it’s shaped by the director’s vision. A game score needs to adapt to the player’s experience. An orchestral piece lives and breathes through the musicians who perform it.

Now, I embrace collaboration. I want feedback from directors. I want to hear how musicians interpret my work. I’ve learned that composing isn’t about proving you have all the answers—it’s about being open, responsive, and creating something that truly serves the story and the people involved.

Unlearning that “lone worker” mindset made me a stronger, more flexible, and ultimately more successful composer. And honestly? It made the process way more fun.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Beyond composing for film, anime, and games, I also want to contribute to the evolving landscape of screen scoring by pushing creative and technological boundaries. This means experimenting with new ways to integrate live orchestral performance, electronic elements, and interactive music techniques into my work. I also want to collaborate with emerging filmmakers, animators, and game developers to help bring fresh, innovative projects to life.

At the end of the day, my mission is simple but powerful: to create music that moves people. If my work can make someone feel something—whether it’s wonder, nostalgia, excitement, or heartbreak—then I know I’ve done my job.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://leonasigmund.com
• Instagram: leona.sigmund
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leona-sigmund
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leonasigmund8767

Image Credits

January Yucheng Li