Meet ANTONIO DI IORIO

We recently connected with ANTONIO DI IORIO and have shared our conversation below.

Hi ANTONIO, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Music has always been inseparable from who I am. I started playing piano at two, and by five, I was already composing short pieces. At thirteen, I wrote my first orchestral work, and in that moment, I discovered a new language, one that allowed me to express what words never could.

From a very young age, I felt an instinctive need to put on paper what I heard in my head. Composing music has never been just a passion, but it has always been a necessity. It began as a way to explore and understand my own emotions, but over time, it became something deeper, a way to connect with others. Music became my bridge to the world.

I studied at an Italian conservatory, earning dual master’s degrees in Composition, Conducting, and Piano. That period gave me a strong technical foundation and helped shape my artistic voice. I initially focused on composing for the concert stage and conducting orchestras and ensembles performing my work. There’s something uniquely intimate about the concert experience, the unspoken dialogue between performers and audience, the vulnerability of expression in real time.

Later, I was drawn to visual storytelling, film, documentaries, media music in general. Scoring for picture opened a new realm of artistic exploration, offering a space where emotion and imagery are closely intertwined. Sound becomes part of a narrative that extends beyond itself. It’s a different form of art, but it serves the same purpose: transmitting emotion, communicating something honest.
I moved to Seattle to study film scoring, and later to Los Angeles. After several months of searching and occasional gigs, I began working as an additional composer for major studio films.

Whether I’m composing for the concert hall or for the screen, my purpose remains the same. I aim to transform inner emotion into music and let it move through space, through walls, and into the hearts of listeners. If I can make someone feel something genuine, whether it’s joy, sorrow, nostalgia, or hope, then I’ve done what I was meant to do.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m an Italian, Los Angeles-based music Composer for Film, TV, Media and Classical Concerts, Conductor, Pianist, as well as a Recording Academy GRAMMY Voting Member. My work is driven by a passion for storytelling—translating emotion into music and helping shape a narrative through sound.
While I love composing for large orchestras, I’m equally excited by the creative possibilities of blending orchestral, electronic, ethnic, and experimental elements. Each project presents a new sonic world, and I strive to adapt my musical language to best serve the story.

My foundation is in classical training. I studied piano, composition, and orchestral conducting, earning master’s degrees from conservatories in both Italy and the U.S.. Early in my career, I composed music for Italian television and independent films, with credits on award-winning projects like “Wings Over Washington”, “Il Viaggio”, “Jacks”, “Life In Between”, and “Spirito Eroico” composed for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Recognition from international competitions, including the Krakow Film Music Festival, Bucchi, and SKY Vancouver, and nominations from the Hollywood Music in Media Awards played a key role in encouraging my move to Los Angeles.

After a year of freelancing, I began working as an Additional Composer for Tom Holkenborg in LA. My classical and orchestral sensibility brought something to the table, and I was fortunate to contribute original additional music to major feature films such as “Mortal Engines”, “Alita: Battle Angel”, “Sonic The Hedgehog”, “Terminator: Dark Fate”, “Tomb Raider”, “The Dark Tower”, and “Distance Between Dreams”. Working for multiple award-winning directors like Peter Jackson, Ron Howard, Robert Rodriguez, James Cameron, etc.. After four impactful years, I returned to freelance work, beginning with “Godzilla vs. Kong” as my first solo endeavour during that chapter.

One of the first and most exciting milestones in my path was co-composing “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”, awarded with the 2025 ASCAP Screen Music Award for Top Box Office Films. This marked my official debut as a credited co-composer alongside Tom Holkenborg. It marked my official debut as a credited co-composer alongside Tom Holkenborg. The project was deeply collaborative, working closely with the director, Legendary Pictures, and Warner Bros. to shape a score that matched the film’s ambition and emotional depth. I introduced seven new themes to reflect the story’s evolving arcs, new characters, and environments. The music combines orchestral force, world instruments, experimental synth textures, and intricate percussion. We recorded with a massive orchestra and four choirs at Synchron Stage Vienna, which added power and nuance to the final result.

Over the years, I’ve continued collaborating with top composers and providing additional music to top studio films and projects. I’ve worked with Pinar Toprak on “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie”, “The Lost City”, “Shotgun Wedding”, and “NFL Thursday Night Football”; with Henry Jackman on “Strange World” and “Red One”; and with Alex Belcher on the Amazon series “Citadel”. Now, I’m focused on expanding my independent work, taking on projects where I can bring my full artistic voice to the table.

What sets my approach apart is a dedication to emotional storytelling through music, regardless of the genre or scale. I aim to create scores that not only support the narrative but connect with audiences on a deeper emotional level. I believe in the power of collaboration, and that the best music often comes from open dialogue and shared vision.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I would say the three most impactful elements in my journey as a composer have been curiosity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

Curiosity has been there since childhood. I was naturally inclined toward composition and fascinated by how music works, not just as sound, but as a language. This led me to dive deeply into technique, instrumentation, orchestration, and music history. I always had the desire to build a solid foundation, and that commitment to lifelong learning helped me evolve day by day. I think any aspiring composer should remain hungry to understand not only the “how” but the “why” behind music.

Adaptability is especially crucial in film and TV. You’re composing not for yourself, but for the story, the director, and the audience. That means you need to be quick, responsive, and open. You need to read between the lines when receiving instructions or feedback, and sometimes, even more importantly, you need to read body language during playbacks. You learn not to take anything personally. The job is to interpret, translate, and serve the story. You’re like a tailor; you sew the perfect dress for the protagonist, which in this case is the film. You shape your music to elevate the narrative, not to showcase yourself.

Finally, emotional intelligence makes all the difference. That means understanding when to step forward with ideas and when to step back and simply execute with precision. It’s about presenting solutions, not problems, and translating abstract or vague requests into something that just works. Your job is to bring artistry and expertise to the table while always serving the filmmaker’s bigger vision.

My advice for anyone starting out: Build your craft with discipline, but stay flexible. Be endlessly curious, move fast, adapt often, and never take feedback personally. Most importantly, think like a storyteller, not just a composer. That’s how you’ll not only survive, but thrive in this field.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

Having worked on major studio films, I’ve gained valuable experience in high-pressure environments, navigating tight deadlines, adapting quickly, and understanding the importance of clear communication and creative trust. That background has shaped what I value in an ideal client. I’m drawn to directors, producers, and creative teams who are genuinely passionate about storytelling and who view music not just as background, but as a vital force that shapes the emotional and narrative arc of their film.

I love continuing collaborations with directors I’ve worked with before, where the synergy is already strong. Shared vision and mutual trust make the process both efficient and creatively fulfilling. At the same time, I actively seek out new collaborations, because fresh perspectives often push me to grow and expand creatively.

I feel most fulfilled when working on projects that ignite my curiosity, stories that allow for emotional depth, creative freedom, and musical exploration. Ideally, these are projects that let me lean into my passion for orchestral writing, chamber music, and smaller ensemble scoring, while also encouraging experimentation. I’m particularly excited by opportunities to blend traditional instrumentation with sound design, combining orchestras, synths, and textures to create unique sonic worlds that serve the story.

I’m especially motivated by clients who bring bold ideas, clear vision, and a strong creative voice, people who challenge me and are just as invested in the process as I am. For me, great collaboration is about synergy, working with people who bring energy, enthusiasm, and a shared love for the craft.
I’m also deeply interested in cross-disciplinary collaborations, with other composers, instrumentalists, sound designers, or artists who bring different strengths and perspectives. I believe that diverse voices lead to richer, more dynamic work where each contributor elevates the whole.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Amy Sussman

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you walking a path—or wandering?

The answer to whether you are walking or wandering often changes from season to season

Highlighter Series
What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?

With so many high-achievers in our community it was super interesting to learn about the

Highlighter Series
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?

We asked some of the wisest people we know what they would tell their younger