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John McQuaig is a screen composer and pianist based in Los Angeles. His music has been heard in streaming shows (Dateline NBC, ABC 20/20, The Bachelorette) and film festivals globally (Woodstock Film Festival, Aspen Shortsfest, St. Louis Int'l Film Festival, Hofer Filmtage).
He trained with film and media scoring veterans at New York University earning a Master's degree in Screen Scoring in 2022. He was accepted into the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL) competitive mentor program in 2024.
His signature sound is often characterized by a pulsing optimism, a vibrant melodic focus, or spacious, evocative textures. His most inspired work for film draws influence from personal, human stories. As a versatile composer, he frequently blends traditional orchestral instruments with contemporary, synthesized, and processed sounds. He is a member of Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) and the SCL.
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Jarfly, short (post-production) • dir. Kaitlyn Busbee, exec prod. Spike Lee
Tapestry, video game (in development) • dir. Joseph Tyler Nelson
Foragers, short • 2026 • dir. Carlos Cagin • Aspen Shortsfest
The Long Path, documentary [add'l. music] • 2025 • dir. Shai Ben-Dor
Here and Then, short • 2025 • dir. Hillia Aho • Maine Int'l Film Festival
Schwarzmoll (Blackmoll), short • 2024 • dir. Alessia Mandanici • Woodstock Film Festival, St. Louis Int'l Film Festival, Stonybrook Film Festival, Hofer Filmtage, et. al.
North, Sun, short • 2024 • dir. Jack Hassett
Blood Sugar, short • 2023 • dir. Carlos Cagin
Bridge Nights and Dog Days, short • 2023 • dir. Ailis Detommaso
The Spire's Shadow, video game • 2022 • dir. Joseph Tyler Nelson
Comet, animated short • 2022 • dir. Annika Köhler
For the Love of Frogs, animated short • 2022 • dir. Rea Silvia Feriozzi
Game of Hundos, documentary short • 2021 • dir. Shai Ben-Dor
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