Layal Watfeh is a Syrian composer, musician and voice actor. She was born in Damascus in 1980 and started her story with music at 9 years old. She launched her carreer as a composer at 21 years old, after working on several music productions studios.
Since 2009, she has her own studio and composes for TV and Film. She lives and works in Dubai, and is a winner of 8 eight international awards for her work in music and sound.
Learn more about her in the Meet the ComposHer of this week!
At an early age, I wasn’t sure of the job title exactly, but all I knew is that I wanted to do something related to movies and film. I loved movies from a very young age, and film score, even more. At the age of 11 it was starting to be quite evident that this is the path I was meant to take, when I stated composing my own pieces. By the time I was in high school, I was sure about being a composer and I followed my dream.
My
mom has always been the first and most present supporter in my life.
She was always excited for that fact that I have so much interest in
music, as she her self has always been very interested in music and used
to sing as well. As for composers, I would say a few of my favorite
composers would have to be Hans Zimmer, John Williams, and Philip
Glass.
Being a female composer from the Middle East, and living and working in the Middle East. Being a female composer has been hard enough across the world, imagine how much harder it is to be in the Middle East, surrounded by males and working in a male dominant field. It took many long years of hard work to prove myself and make a name for myself in the entire region. I am certainly thrilled to say that I succeeding in becoming one of the most notable composers for Film and TV in the region.
It’s an interesting process to say the least. I can’t say it’s the same every time, as it all depends on the project itself, and what the director requires. But the process is usually the first stage of knowing more about the project, sitting with the director and understanding more of what he requires and has in mind. I then start watching the footage if its available, and coming up with ideas and moods. It’s not always easy I must say. But it’s fun nonetheless. Every project is different, in what it offers me as a composer, and I give back as ideas and creativity. It’s a dance between the visuals and the music, they go hand in hand, therefor they are very affected by each other.
I chose this piece, because its one of my latest piece, that was a bit of a journey to bring to life. I first planned to record it with a full orchestra in Budapest, but due to some issues that happened on the day of the recording, I kinda had to redo all the string section recording in my hometown Syria, and to be honest, I was much happier with the results the second time around. Its also a special piece for me, since it got me my 12th International award (2nd with Hollywood Music In Media Awards), I hope you enjoy it. Ten Sins Opening by Layal Watfeh
Suad is a good friend of mine, and I support her journey as female composer, and back all her struggles and achievements. We also happened to work on the same project this past year (2019).
Tomorrow by Suad Bushnaq
Have more confidence in yourself and your abilities. You were given a beautiful gift, be proud of it, share it, show it off, don’t be shy. The sky is the limit, believe this phrase, because you can truly get anywhere you wish.
Work hard, try new things, find your special sound, and don’t try to imitate other composers. Each of us is unique and has something different to offer. It will be tough sometimes, but never give up, keep going and keep doing what you were born to do.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share more about my experience and personal journey as a female composer.
Nina Šenk graduated in composition from the Ljubljana Academy of Music under Prof. Pavel Mihelčič, then continued her postgraduate studies in composition in Dresden under the mentorship of Prof. Lothar Voigtländer and obtained her master’s degree in the class of Prof. Matthias Pintscher at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, in 2008.
She is a recipient of many awards, including the European award for the best composition at the Young Euro Classic festival for her Violin Concerto in 2004, the Academy of Music Prešeren Award and the first prize at the Weimar Spring Festival of Contemporary Music for her composition Movimento fluido in 2008. In the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons, Nina Šenk was a Composer in Residence of the Staatstheater Cottbus Orchestra in Germany. In 2010, the Rector of the University of Ljubljana awarded her a special recognition for artistic work in the area of musical composition and performance as well as architecture. In 2017, she was awarded the Prešeren Fund Prize for her creative work in the previous two years.
♫ LISTEN FLUX (Ljubljana Concerto No.1) by Nina Šenk
Layal Watfeh is a Syrian composer, musician, and voice actor. Watfeh's work primarily consists of original film score for commercials, television, and film. Over two decades of work, Watfeh has won numerous international awards for her voice acting and original scores for television and film. Her style incorporates symphonic, orchestral tones as well as traditional Arab sounds. She has worked with major companies composing commercial music, including past clients such as Olay, T.G.I. Friday's, and Krispy Kreme. Besides recording music, she has also been a voice on many TV networks across the Middle East, such as MBC2, MBC4, OSN, Abu Dhabi TV, DMTV.
Layal is a winner of 8 international awards for her work in music and sound, and her latest award was at the 2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards, for Best Score in Trailer, category.
She has also been nominated for another award at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2017 for her composition on the Invasion Game trailer.
