Meet Theo Schmitt

We recently connected with Theo Schmitt and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Theo, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

I think it comes from the musical community I grew up in, back in Switzerland. From my earliest projects, I was surrounded by people who believed in me and supported my work. Those experiences were essential in building both my career and my self-confidence as a composer and a conductor. I’ve never forgotten that, and I feel a strong sense of responsibility to give back. I’m very aware that I’m among the lucky ones — being able to sustain my life through my passion for music.

For me, generosity is deeply tied to my artistic identity. Music, by nature, is something to be shared — it only truly exists when it’s experienced collectively. Whether through concerts, teaching, or collaboration, I see sharing as an extension of my creative process. In that sense, being generous isn’t separate from my art — it’s at the heart of it.

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?

I’m a composer and producer based in Los Angeles, originally from Switzerland. My work lives at the intersection of concert music, film scoring, and pop production — three worlds that constantly feed into one another. I love how each discipline offers a different way to tell stories through sound: the freedom and abstraction of concert music, the emotional precision of film, and the immediacy of pop. Moving between these spaces keeps my creative energy alive and pushes me to think about music in fresh, hybrid ways.

Beyond composing, I also serve as the Artistic Director of the Unprecedented Music Association (UMA), a collective dedicated to creating new musical experiences and building community through performance. UMA allows me to explore how different musical languages and audiences can come together — from experimental concerts to interdisciplinary collaborations that challenge traditional formats.

What excites me most about my work is that it never feels confined. Whether I’m scoring a film, producing a track, or writing for ensemble, it’s always about capturing a moment of emotion and translating it into sound. I’m currently developing new projects that bridge these worlds even further — collaborations that bring the storytelling intensity of film and the energy of pop into the concert hall.

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, three qualities have been central to my journey: stepping out of my comfort zone, building meaningful collaborations, and balancing confidence with humility.

Leaving my comfort zone has been crucial. Moving to new cities, exploring unfamiliar musical territories, or tackling projects that initially felt intimidating forced me to grow as an artist and as a person. For those starting out, I’d encourage embracing challenges, even when they feel daunting — real growth happens when you push beyond what feels safe.

Building teams and communities is another key quality. Music is inherently collaborative, and the projects I’ve been most proud of are those where I could create a supportive environment for others to thrive. Developing a positive attitude, fostering trust, and connecting people around a shared vision amplifies both artistic and personal impact. My advice is to nurture collaboration, seek out like-minded peers, and be generous with your support and energy.

Finally, knowing your worth while staying humble has shaped how I approach opportunities. I’ve learned to take pride in my achievements while remembering that I’m just a small part of a much larger creative world. For early-career artists, it’s important to celebrate your milestones but stay open to learning from every encounter, keeping your ego in check while trusting your capabilities.

Together, these qualities — courage, collaboration, and grounded confidence — have helped me navigate a diverse and challenging career, and they continue to guide how I create and share music.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! We’re building a new music community here in Los Angeles through UMA (Unprecedented Music Association), and we’re always looking to connect with composers, performers, and anyone who is curious about music and wants to be part of something collaborative and exploratory.

If that sounds like you, check out our website at www.umamusic.org to see our upcoming events and projects. I’d love to see you there, meet you, and welcome you into our community — whether you want to perform, create, or just share in the experience of music together. UMA is all about connection, experimentation, and shared musical discovery, and we’re excited to grow that with anyone who’s passionate about music.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theoschmitt.com
• Instagram: @theoschmitt_composer
• Youtube: @TheoSchmitt_composer
• Other: https://www.umamusic.org