Looking Back at 2024
2024—what a year. It had its highs and lows, but the biggest lesson I’m carrying into 2025 is that everyone has an audience. Whether it's in film, podcasting, teaching, or even casual conversations, people are listening. I want to take that awareness into this next year, using it to connect, create, and build.
Most people write these kinds of reflections in early January, but with my birthday at the end of the month, I always feel like I get an extra reset. And honestly, I needed it this year. So here I am, taking stock of my achievements, lessons, and goals for 2025.
Highlights & Achievements
Teaching & Mentorship 🎹
Earlier this year, I started teaching piano lessons, and now I have six students. Watching them learn and grow has been incredibly rewarding. One day, one of my students was nervous about starting a new piece, and I knew he'd be able to just sight read, so I said "Let's give it a shot." Of course, he now says that before we start any new piece. That small moment reminded me how much of an impact we have on those around us. I’m excited to continue nurturing their love for music.
Film & Theatre Scoring 🎬🎭
This year brought several exciting scoring projects:
"Hairitage" – A short film written and produced by my friend Philicia Saunders, directed by Roger Q. Mason. It's still making festival rounds in 2025!
Corky Lee Documentary – I worked as a music editor on this project with composer Joel Goodman and director Jennifer Takaki. It screened in LA in April.
"Kill Move Paradise" – I served as sound designer and composer for this powerful theatre production at the Odyssey Theatre. Directed by Gregg Daniel, it ran for six weeks and was one of the most collaborative experiences I’ve had.
"Lavender Men" – This film, directed by Lovell Holder and written by/starred Roger Q. Mason, premiered at OutSouth in North Carolina and the Micheaux Film Festival in LA. It started as a play and evolved into a feature, winning awards along the way.
Podcasting & Production 🎙
In August, I joined Divorce Wave, an audio-based app created by Tamara Rowles, as Production Director. We’ve recorded over 50 audio tracks, each focusing on different emotional milestones of divorce. This project has been a deep dive into the intersection of mental health, storytelling, and sound design. Don't forget to visit www.divorcewave.com to learn more.
Speech & Debate Judging 🎤
This year, I judged nationals in Des Moines for Big Questions Debate, making it all the way to the semi-final round. I also judged events all year round ranging from Dramatic Interpretation to Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and every time, I left feeling hopeful about the future.
Travel & Experiences ✈️
2024 was a lucky travel year—I visited Boston, Kuala Lumpur, and Spain. Each trip reminded me how much I love experiencing new cultures, eating great food, and just stepping away from the usual grind.
Lessons from 2024
1. Hollywood is shifting—adaptation is key.
The entertainment industry is in a weird place. Between the pandemic, strikes, and ongoing instability, I’ve had to diversify my income—film scoring, podcast producing, content creation, theatre sound design, and music libraries. The key takeaway? Being multi-faceted is a survival skill.
2. Everyone has an audience—myself included.
This year, I realized that I don’t need to wait for someone to “give” me an audience—I already have one. People listen. People care. Whether it’s through music, storytelling, or teaching, my work reaches people. That’s something I plan to lean into more in 2025.
3. Imposter syndrome is a liar.
I’ve always struggled with feeling like I don’t belong in certain rooms. But this year, I stopped caring. I shared my insights and saw them validated by peers and colleagues. Composers often get stuck in a “stay in your lane” mindset, but this year I pushed beyond that—and it paid off.
4. Theatre vs. Film: A Whole New Perspective
Composing for theatre (again!) was an eye-opening experience. Unlike film, where everything is meticulously crafted, theatre is fluid—every performance is slightly different. It felt like prepared improvisation, similar to video game scoring, where the experience constantly shifts. That discovery has changed how I approach sound design and composition.
Goals for 2025
I’m sharing these here because writing them down—and making them public—keeps me accountable.
Career & Business Goals
✅ Expand my podcast production business and take on more clients.
✅ Grow my music library catalog for placements.
✅ Strengthen my personal brand as a composer and audio producer.
✅ Continue exploring teaching—possibly expanding to virtual lessons.
✅ Land more work in film, TV, theatre, and video games.
Financial Goals
✅ Address my debt (because let’s be real, so many of us in this industry are struggling).
✅ Increase income stability—balancing freelance work with consistent revenue streams.
✅ Talk more openly about money in creative industries—this shouldn’t be taboo.
Personal & Lifestyle Goals
✅ Build a daily walking habit (once the LA fires calm down).
✅ Prioritize blogging—sharing reflections, updates, and industry insights.
✅ Use social media more intentionally—posting daily on Bluesky and engaging more.
✅ Continue traveling—maybe Boston again, maybe somewhere new. Okinawa is already in the books for May! :)
Final Thoughts
If 2024 taught me anything, it’s that survival in creative industries is about adaptability, collaboration, and confidence. Whether it's composing, producing podcasts, or mentoring students, I’m realizing that I have the tools to make things happen, even in uncertain times.
So, here’s to 2025—a year of art, facts, and community. A year of creating, sharing, and growing. A year where I continue finding my audience—and maybe even helping others find theirs too.
Let’s give it a shot. 🚀
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