For the entire transcript of the interview, please click here.

Our special guest for today is Joy Ngiaw. She is an award-winning Malaysian composer for film and TV. Graduating summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music, Joy possesses a deep affinity for narratives that evoke nostalgia and forge meaningful connections.

Joy's music can be heard in Apple TV+ and SkyDance's debut animation Blush, Walt Disney Animation Studio's Short Circuit: Jing Hua, and Netflix's Rescued By Ruby. Most recently, Joy scored the music for the Netflix show Glamorous.

Her talent has been recognized with a nomination for the highly regarded Emerging Talent award by the Society of Composers and Lyricists, establishing her as a distinguished voice among the new generation of film composers.

What You’ll Learn

In today’s episode, Joy shares the experiences that have shaped her career. We explore her creative process, her inspirations, and the challenges she has faced in the industry.

Join us as we explore the significance of embracing emotions, breaking free from cultural expectations, and its impact on Joy's journey as a composer. Discover how embracing her emotions has become a driving force behind her creative expression and a catalyst for building meaningful connections with others.

Things We Discussed

Here are the key learnings from Joy Ngiaw's journey as a composer:

1. Embrace emotions and sensitivity:

Joy encourages others, including her younger self, to embrace being emotional and sensitive. It is not a weakness but a powerful tool for connection and expression.

2. Nostalgia as a creative force:

Joy's music is deeply rooted in nostalgia, evoking a complex range of emotions.

3. Networking and collaboration:

Joy pursued her own projects while working as an assistant composer by attending events, film festivals, and concerts. This proactive approach allowed her to meet like-minded individuals and led to serendipitous collaborations. Organic collaborations, aligned creative visions, and working with people can create magical results.

4. Balancing personal aspirations:

Despite her assisting role, Joy made sure to allocate time for her own compositions and creative pursuits. She recognized the importance of nurturing her own artistic voice and creating opportunities for herself.

5. Curiosity and storytelling:

Joy's love for working with people stems from her genuine curiosity about their stories. Engaging with others adds depth and perspective to her work and fuels her creativity.

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