Meet Netta Ben Yair

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Netta Ben Yair. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Netta, 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?

My purpose has always been rooted in music. As a child, I could only fall asleep listening to orchestral music on a small (now vintage) TV set. That sound world became my first language. From the age of six, I studied multiple instruments and, over time, developed into a true multi-instrumentalist—but it was the saxophone that stayed with me for over 21 years. Through it, I explored a range of woodwinds and musical expression, later expanding into flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, and other saxophones to deepen my understanding of orchestration and color.
At 15, I was accepted into one of Israel’s top high school music programs, where I began working with professional musicians who became lifelong mentors. That experience ignited my dedication to excellence and opened my eyes to music as a powerful tool for societal contribution. I focused on jazz performance, large ensemble arranging, and classical harmony. It was the point where I started understanding how music could be both personal and universal—a craft and a calling.
Later, I earned a place in the Rimon School of Music’s elite Jazz Institute, a highly selective program for jazz composition and performance. That phase was foundational in helping me develop a personal musical identity. After graduating, I was invited to join the faculty as a professor of music production. I mentored final-year students on their capstone projects and taught sound design. These are skills I developed over years of studio work and mainly live sound engineering—first by volunteering in my local community and later through professional work as a live audio engineer in my hometown, the City of Ra’anana. Separately, I developed a music tech track and curriculum for high schoolers at my former high school. That full-circle moment clarified something for me: artists don’t just create—they lead, shape culture, and inspire change.
Growing up in a country constantly facing existential threats, I’ve seen firsthand how music uplifts people through pain, fear, and uncertainty. I believe that artists are entrusted with advancing society—emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. That belief guided my decision to move to the U.S., leaving behind a successful career to study film scoring at Berklee College of Music. It was a leap into the unknown, but one driven by the desire to grow, to connect globally, and to fulfill my artistic responsibility on a larger scale.
Film scoring, to me, is the perfect medium where sound and story merge to elevate human emotion. It lets me integrate everything I’ve practiced—performance, composition, arranging, production, and technology—into a single expressive form. Today, I compose for film and animation while also collaborating with artists as a music producer, audio engineer, and sound designer. I’m also exploring emerging music technologies, particularly immersive audio formats, and creative sound design tools, to expand the emotional and spatial potential of my work.
A major part of my journey has been my ability to self-learn with discipline and curiosity. An ability I’ve developed over the years out of an increasingly growing thirst for knowledge. This has always been the case with me, and now, I’m comfortable teaching myself from books, manuals, and online sources—a skill that allows me to constantly evolve as a multidisciplinary artist. Recently, I’ve begun learning hardware development and physical computing with the aim of building new tools specifically for music production and screen scoring. In parallel, I’ve started a software development collaboration with a talented friend from home. Together, we are laying the foundation for a start-up company focused on creating innovative audio plugins to bring fresh solutions to the music and audio industries.
Imposter syndrome, setbacks, and doubts have all challenged me—and probably will again. But music remains the medium where I feel I can make the most meaningful impact. I return to it because it has the power to make people feel more deeply, love harder, and push through adversity with hope.
When I work, I try to balance tradition with innovation—drawing from the greats while creating something no one has ever heard before. Whether I’m producing a track, composing for the screen, or designing new soundscapes, I ground my choices in that balance. That’s my compass. And this is why I create.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

These days, I’m incredibly fortunate to be involved in a wide range of meaningful work. I’m in my final semester at Berklee College of Music, where I’ve been deeply engaged not only as a Film Scoring major but also as an active part of the community—co-leading a student club, mentoring younger students in the Screen Scoring department, and teaching private lessons in music production and composition.
My focus right now is on growth and knowledge expansion—both personally and collectively. I’m passionate about learning new tools, techniques, and technologies across disciplines, and I always share what I learn with my peers. That mutual exchange helps deepen understanding and creates a culture of curiosity and creative collaboration.
Lately, I have been participating in various competitions, sweeping success in some Berklee-related ones, and waiting for announcements on other “real world” ones.
Professionally, I work across film scoring, music production, and sound design, and I also perform in live shows and record as a session musician. My process shifts depending on the project: in production, I dive deep into the song’s genre, structure, and the artist’s vision. In film scoring and sound design, I draw heavily from the visual material and strive to understand the director’s intent as fully as possible. Across all mediums, I aim to break through stylistic barriers—blending genres, sonic palettes, and aesthetics—to create emotionally impactful music that feels fresh and deeply resonant. One of the tools that helps me do this is a strong intuitive sense for aesthetics and style, which allows me to quickly connect with a project’s creative language and craft work that is emotionally aligned and artistically cohesive. This sensitivity to detail and artistic coherence has become one of the most valuable assets in my creative process.
One of the things that excites me most is the intersection of music and technology. I’m currently developing a custom hardware controller tailored to orchestral programming, designed to offer a faster, more intuitive workflow for composers and producers working in cinematic music. This is my most advanced tech project to date, and it’s just the beginning—I’m also exploring other early-stage hardware and software tools, some of which may eventually evolve into a startup venture.
On the musical side, I’m completing my academic projects while continuing to collaborate with artists both in the U.S. and back home in Israel—producing, mixing, mastering, scoring, and providing post-production services. I have several upcoming film-related projects this summer that will involve everything from original scoring to advanced sound design. Looking ahead, I’m also considering a Master’s degree in music technology in the U.S. to continue building on these ideas.
In the coming months, I’ll be sharing more music, tech prototypes, and behind-the-scenes insights into my process. The best way to stay in touch or follow my journey is through Instagram—where I will post updates, connect with fellow creatives, and welcome any curious minds or potential collaborators. Feel free to reach out with questions, ideas, or projects!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the most impactful things in my journey have been my curiosity and drive to self-learn, my adaptability across roles and styles, and the resilience I’ve built through putting myself in tough situations and leaning into collaboration and mentorship.
Curiosity has really been the engine behind most of what I do. Whether it’s diving into orchestration, learning a new DAW, or figuring out how to build custom hardware for composers, I’ve always found myself chasing questions. I’m the kind of person who learns through doing, reading, researching, and trying things out on my own—and honestly, I believe that’s one of the most valuable habits anyone can build. You don’t need to wait for a class or a job to start learning something. If you’re curious about it, go for it. The more you follow those sparks, the more you’ll build confidence in your ability to figure things out.
Adaptability has also been a huge part of my growth. I’ve had the chance to work as a performer, composer, producer, sound designer, teacher, and now someone who’s just beginning to explore the world of hardware and software development. And I’ve worked across jazz, contemporary, classical, film, and electronic music. Learning to shift between these roles and genres taught me not just flexibility, but how to find the connecting threads between disciplines. If you’re open to stepping into unfamiliar creative spaces, that’s where some of the most exciting growth happens—and some of the most fulfilling collaborations, too.
Resilience has been the common thread that ties everything together. Whether it was pushing through imposter syndrome, facing setbacks, or leaving a stable life in Israel to start over in the U.S., I’ve had to remind myself again and again why I’m doing this. And honestly, one of the biggest sources of resilience for me has been connection—working with people who challenge and inspire me, mentoring younger students, and staying part of a community where knowledge and encouragement are shared. I’ve found that putting myself in uncomfortable learning environments is how I grow fastest, and giving back through mentorship makes that journey even more meaningful.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m absolutely open to new collaborations—it’s one of the most exciting ways to grow as a creator and bring meaningful projects to life. Great collaborations offer something powerful for everyone involved: more experience, stronger portfolios, and better art. When the right people come together, everyone levels up.
I’m especially drawn to working with individuals who value professionalism, adaptability, original thinking, and who bring bold, creative, and meaningful ideas to the table. I believe that almost every aspect of my creative work thrives in collaborative settings. In film scoring, I love joining forces with directors, editors, and producers to craft the musical identity of a project. In music production, I collaborate with artists as a producer and arranger, helping shape their sound. In audio post-production, I handle mixing and mastering for both songs and media scores.
Beyond that, I also enjoy working in educational and leadership capacities—whether it’s mentoring, managing projects, or contributing as a musical director. My favorite collaborations are those where creativity, trust, and mutual growth are at the center.
If you’re reading this and thinking about reaching out—please do! You can find me on Instagram or by email, and I’m always happy to connect with curious, driven, and creative minds.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/netta_sax/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nettanettanetta/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nbenyair

Image Credits

Netta Ben Yair
Omer Szybowski
Shendl Copitman
Michael Inbar