Meet Joy Ngiaw – a Malaysian composer who is bringing her talent for film and TV scores to major productions in Hollywood. Most notably, her work can be heard on the Apple TV+ series ‘WondLa’, Season 2, where she returns to the animated sci-fi world of Orbona with a globally inspired score– featuring everything from synths and string orchestras to Ouds and Fujara flutes.
As a pianist and vocalist, Joy brings innovation to her music, experimenting with tones, textures, and vocal techniques like breaths, mouth percussion, hums, and nature-inspired sounds. Her passion for crafting nostalgic, emotionally driven scores serves to bridge diverse perspectives and evoke thought-provoking experiences.
A recent 2024 BAFTA Breakthrough USA honoree, Joy also received two Annie Award nominations, for her work on the Apple TV+ animated film ‘Blush’ and ‘WondLa’ Season 1. For Joy, creativity and advocacy go hand in hand. She’s an advocate for inclusion in the industry, serving on the executive board of the Composers Diversity Collective, where she champions underrepresented voices in the film scoring world. Joy’s rising career is important to highlight, in an industry where women only accounted for 9% of composers in Hollywood in 2023, according to the latest data from USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative.
At a time when we are seeing a lot of attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in a number of arenas, there has never been a more important time to amplify the importance of this. Her inspiring journey from her home country Malaysia to Hollywood positions her as one of the most exciting and distinctive AAPI female voices in Film and TV music today, and we had the chance to speak with Joy about her career so far.
Scroll below to learn more about Joy’s passion for music composition, and hear some of her Apple TV+ score work shared on her Instagram account!
Where did your musical career begin, and how did you get into the world of film and TV music composition?
I’ve loved music and movies for as long as I can remember. I was lucky enough to start playing classical piano when I was six, and soon after, I began accompanying school choirs and the orchestra. I realized how much I loved hearing different instruments come together in harmony. It was so exciting to collaborate and connect with fellow musicians, building a sense of community through music.
Combining my love for music with my passion for storytelling, I decided to pursue film scoring as a career. My first collaboration was actually on a student film at Berklee College of Music, where I scored storyboards for an animation student’s thesis project. It was such a fun experience to work closely with a filmmaker and bring their vision to life through music. After that, I was determined to pursue film scoring full-time by moving to Los Angeles.
Who were your role models or inspirations throughout the early stages of your career, and were there other women, especially Asian women, who you admired?
Some of my favorite composers when I was starting out were Thomas Newman and Joe Hisaishi—their ability to tell stories and capture the emotional “in-between” really inspired me. Early on, I noticed there weren’t many Asian women composers visibly working in Hollywood, which made it hard to find people who looked like me in the field.
But I found inspiration in artists like Yoko Shimomura, whose anime and game scores showed me that there was a place for Asian women in storytelling through music. I was also inspired by women composers like Rachel Portman and Hildur Guðnadóttir, who proved it was possible to build a career in a male-dominated industry.
And outside of music, seeing Asian women filmmakers like Adele Lim, Domee Shi, and Jennifer Yuh Nelson was really empowering. I feel honored to be part of the change and hope to help pave the way for others.
You have been hailed as a composer “to watch” in film and TV, as a BAFTA Breakthrough USA Honoree, and as a distinctive AAPI female voice in film and TV music today. What does it mean to see this type of recognition?
It’s incredibly humbling and meaningful to receive this recognition, especially because it’s a reflection of the hard work, passion, and dedication I’ve put into my craft. Music has always been my way of telling stories, and to have that resonate with others is something I’m deeply grateful for.
As someone who didn’t always see people like me represented in this field growing up, it’s very meaningful to be recognized not just for my work, but also as part of a larger movement toward greater inclusion and diversity.
I’m excited to continue pushing myself creatively and telling stories that resonate across cultures and communities, and hope that my journey can encourage others—especially young women and AAPI artists—to know that there’s a place for their voices in this industry.
Season 2 of Apple TV+ series ‘Wondla’ just premiered, and the show has become known for its animated sci-fi world with a globally inspired score. How do you approach the music for this series, and what kind of sounds are you drawn to the most?
Thank you so much! My approach to music is always rooted in the story. ‘WondLa’ has such a vast and diverse universe, giving me a lot of creative freedom in terms of sound. Because the series blends sci-fi with fantasy and spans different cultures and worlds, I draw from a wide range of sounds.
One moment might call for orchestral music to convey grandeur and emotional depth, while another might lean into world instruments to reflect the various alien tribes and unique locations. Synthesizers create that otherworldly, futuristic feel, while traditional and ethnic instruments ground the score in something more earthly and human.
I also love incorporating my own vocals to add a personal touch. It’s about choosing the right texture and instrument to connect with the heart of the story, and WondLa’s expansive world gives me the chance to explore a vast palette of sounds to make each moment feel unique.
What is the “secret sauce” to making your compositions stand out? How do you create a signature sound, so that you can break through in the industry?
I think the “secret sauce” lies in blending authenticity with innovation, approaching music and storytelling from a genuine place. For me, it’s about finding the emotional core of the story and letting that drive the music. I like to experiment with a wide range of sounds and textures, pulling from both traditional and unconventional sources, while staying true to the narrative.
A big part of my approach comes from my diverse cultural background and musical influences, which shape my unique perspective. One of the elements that has become a signature sound of mine is the use of my own vocals. I started incorporating them in my first studio project, Skydance Animation’s ‘Blush’ (Apple TV+), and since then, they’ve become something I’m naturally drawn to. I love weaving my vocals into the score because they add a personal touch that deeply connects with the emotional fabric of the story.
Beyond that, I like to incorporate fresh, innovative elements, like blending world instruments with modern production techniques, or sampling unusual things around my house (to me, anything can be turned into an instrument). The key is to remain emotionally grounded and relatable while pushing boundaries and maintaining cohesiveness.
Ultimately, I believe standing out in this industry comes from staying true to your own voice while constantly evolving as an artist. It’s about finding the balance between innovation and staying connected to the heart of what you’re expressing.
What is your typical creative process when you first work on a project – do you get the visuals first and create music for what you see, or do you work alongside the editor and director to make something in tandem? Tell us how it all works!
I always love to figure out the ‘why’ and the heart of the story before I start writing. That means having conversations with the filmmakers on why they are telling this story, what they want the music to portray – from there I can then think of the sound palette that is closely tailored to their vision.
For ‘WondLa’, I spent a full year crafting character themes before I even started scoring the episodes. During that year, I read Tony DiTerlizzi’s original trilogy, read all the episodic scripts, studied the concept art and costume designs, and really did a deep dive into the stories and the characters.
To me, that’s the preparation work, I got to experiment with different instrumentations and start playing around with ideas. Once I nailed down the character themes, it became a solid backbone for the score.
Throughout the entire process, collaboration is key—whether it’s with the director, editor, or the rest of the team, I stay in constant communication to ensure the music always serves the story and enhances the audience’s experience. It’s always about collaboration and teamwork, and my favorite part of the whole process.
You serve on the board of the Composers Diversity Initiative. Can you tell us why this initiative is important in the world of film and TV, especially at a time when we see the US government attacking industries that choose to prioritize diversity initiatives?
I’m so proud to serve on the executive board of the Composers Diversity Collective, because now more than ever, we need to amplify underrepresented voices in the music industry. This initiative is essential for enriching the art form with diverse perspectives, ensuring that the music in film and TV truly reflects the world around us.
By fostering inclusivity, we help shape a future where stories are told more authentically, and the industry continues to grow and evolve. I’m committed to being part of this movement, which strengthens the authenticity of the music we hear and supports a more inclusive landscape in film and TV.
You are also known for using unconventional instruments in your compositions. Can you talk more about this and some of the examples from the projects you’ve worked on?
Thanks so much! I love experimenting with unconventional instruments because they allow me to create unique textures and evoke emotions in ways that traditional instruments might not. To me, anything can be turned into an instrument.
For example, in ‘WondLa’ Season 2, Episode 5, I sampled an old slinky at home and turned it into a rhythmic, metallic sound to create an otherworldly feel for the scene. I also use found sounds, like tapping on glass bowls, manipulating water bowls or empty candle jars, or transforming everyday objects into something entirely new. The goal is always to create a sound that’s tailored to the storytelling.
In Skydance Animation’s inaugural short film ‘Blush’ (Apple TV+), for instance, I used my own vocals and breath as an instrumental element, adding a personal, emotional touch that reflected the theme of “our family is like our oxygen.” These unconventional instruments help bring out the character and atmosphere of the world I’m scoring, pushing boundaries while keeping the music grounded and emotionally impactful.
Can you tell us about your journey from Malaysia to Hollywood, and where you see yourself in the future?
My journey from Malaysia to Hollywood has been a unique and rewarding one. I grew up in a small village in Malaysia, then moved to a big city in China—these two very different cultural backgrounds allowed me to immerse myself in diverse musical influences and perspectives.
I moved to the US with the goal of pursuing a career in film scoring. It wasn’t easy—there were many challenges along the way, from breaking into a competitive industry with few women of color composers. But I stayed committed to my craft and to telling stories through music that resonate deeply with audiences.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep pushing myself creatively, working on meaningful projects that blend my cultural background with innovative sounds. I hope to inspire the next generation of women and AAPI creatives, showing them that their voices have a place in this industry.
What are you working on next?
Coming up soon are ‘WondLa’ Season 3 on Apple TV+, and ‘Barbie Mysteries’ Season 2 on Netflix. I’m also working on a thriller short for Monkeypaw Productions, which has been both thrilling and rewarding as it’s a genre I’ve been excited to explore. Additionally, I’m scoring a live-action drama feature—feel free to follow my socials @joyngiaw for all the latest music news!
Follow Joy Ngiaw on Instagram and see more of her incredible work on her website. Watch ‘WondLa’ Season 2, and ‘Blush’ both on Apple TV now.
