Today we’d like to introduce you to Antonio Di Iorio
Hi ANTONIO, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am an Italian, Los Angeles-based music composer specializing in Film, TV, and Classical Concerts. My journey began with formal training as a composer, pianist, and conductor, earning diplomas and master’s degrees in Piano, Composition, and Orchestra Conducting from Music Conservatories in Italy and the US. I started my career composing for Italian TV and independent films, working on award-winning projects such as “Wings Over Washington”, “Il Viaggio”, “Jacks”, “Life In Between”, and “Spirito Eroico” for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Recognitions from international competitions, including awards at the Krakow Film Music Festival, Bucchi, and SKY Vancouver, and nominations at the Hollywood Music In Media Awards inspired my move to Los Angeles. After a year of freelance work, I became an Additional Composer for Tom Holkenborg. He valued my classical and orchestral background, giving me opportunities to write my own cues making significant contributions to major films like “Mortal Engines”, “Alita: Battle Angel”, “Sonic The Hedgehog”, “Terminator: Dark Fate”, “Tomb Raider”, “The Dark Tower”, “Distance Between Dreams and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League”. After four transformative years, I pursued a freelance career, with Godzilla vs Kong as my first independent project.
Since then, I’ve collaborated with renowned composers like Pinar Toprak, contributing additional music to “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie”, “The Lost City”, “Shotgun Wedding”, “NFL Thursday Night Football”, Henry Jackman writing additional music for “Strange World”, “Red One”, and Alex Belcher providing additional music for “Citadel”. Tom and I reconnected to co-compose (as co-composers) the score for “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”, a major box office success which marked a significant milestone in my career. Shortly after, Tom and I mutually parted ways again.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a music composer, whether for classical concerts, film scores, or opera. Growing up in Italy, where arts funding is limited, posed challenges, but I was pushed by my determination. Early in my career, I worked as an orchestrator, composer, and conductor. However, the financial and personal rewards were lacking, so I made the bold decision to pursue a career as a film composer in the U.S., the heart of the film music industry, seeking more stability and fulfilment.
Every step I took was guided by a deep sense of purpose. The sacrifices I made were crucial to my growth. After graduating from the Music Conservatory in Italy, I dreamed of attending a top Film Scoring Program in Los Angeles but struggled to find a job that would fund the tuition. Winning international composition contests, like the FMF Film Music Festival in Krakow, became a turning point, opening doors and connecting me with Hollywood’s film music community.
Securing a U.S. working visa was another major hurdle. To qualify for the O-1 Visa, I had to meet an extensive list of requirements, which took a year of careful work. I successfully obtained my O-1 Visa and finally moved to Los Angeles in 2015 to start my journey.
Leaving my home country was far from easy. Saying goodbye to my family, friends, and the places where I grew up was deeply emotional but necessary. The move coincided with the loss of my father a few years earlier, making the journey even more challenging. However, I was driven by a strong determination to honour his memory and show him, in spirit, my resilience and dedication. I wanted to make him proud.
Initially, I supported myself by working as an orchestrator and copyist, taking on various minor jobs for 6–8 months. The breakthrough came in 2016 when I was offered the chance to be an assistant and additional composer for Tom Holkenborg, one of LA’s top composers. This opportunity was a dream come true and taught me an invaluable lesson: with dedication and sacrifice, perseverance will pay off.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As mentioned, I’m an Italian composer based in Los Angeles, specializing in music for films, TV, and concert performances. My work is rooted in storytelling – bringing emotional depth to narratives through music. I love writing for large orchestras, but I also enjoy experimenting with different sounds and techniques when the project calls for it, always adapting my approach to suit the unique needs of each story I work on.
One of the most exciting and fulfilling projects I’ve worked on is “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” which I’m incredibly proud of. It marked my debut as a credited co-composer alongside Tom Holkenborg and stands as a career-defining milestone. Collaborating closely with the film’s director, Legendary, and Warner Bros. executives inspired and challenged me to push my creative and technical limits, ensuring the music aligned with the filmmakers’ vision.
Creatively, the score builds on the musical foundation I established on Godzilla vs. Kong while introducing fresh elements to reflect new settings and characters. I composed seven new themes, crafting distinct sonic identities for the characters, environments, and communities. This was achieved through a combination of orchestral power, ethnic instruments, innovative synths, and unique percussion. Four choirs and a massive orchestra, recorded at Vienna’s Synchron Stage, enriched the score’s depth and diversity. To enhance the narrative, I experimented with ethnic sounds, mallet instruments, and pulsating synth riffs. This score represents not only a technical achievement but also a deeply rewarding creative journey.
One of the most important tasks a film music composer has is to serve the story through their music. For me, every challenge is an opportunity to grow, experiment, and innovate. What sets me apart is my ability to blend diverse musical influences – from orchestral writing to ethnic and electronic elements – into cohesive, emotionally resonant compositions. Collaboration with talented creatives is also a core part of my process, and I find joy in the shared energy that makes every project even more rewarding.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Looking back on my upbringing, I see how my curiosity, creativity, and drive to push boundaries shaped who I am. From a young age, I found joy in exploring new things – whether it was experimenting with sounds, learning instruments, or diving into different music genres. This curiosity ignited my passion for creation, and I realized that making music was less about finishing projects and more about enjoying the process itself.
Music quickly became my language for expressing emotions and ideas that words couldn’t capture. I spent hours experimenting with melodies and harmonies, which was both exciting and fulfilling. Whether composing, orchestrating, or collaborating, I’ve always been driven by the joy of creation – a passion that still fuels my work today. For me, every challenge in music is an opportunity to grow and push my limits.
Collaboration has always been at the heart of my creative journey. I loved working with others who shared my passion for music, and the energy from exchanging ideas remains one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
I’m also deeply aware of the sacrifices my family made for me to pursue my dreams. Their support has shaped both my career and my character. The faith-based decisions I’ve made, and the moments of saying goodbye to loved ones, have all influenced who I am today. This journey is not just about the music – it’s about honouring those who helped me along the way, especially my father, and making them proud of the path I’ve taken.
Ultimately, my goal is simple: to move people through my music, whether through a film score, concert, or intimate performance. I want to create deep emotional connections with my audience. This drive—rooted in passion, collaboration, and purpose – continues to shape how I approach music and inspires me to keep pushing forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.antoniodiiorio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonio.di.iorio_composer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antonio.d.iorio.31
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@antonio-di-iorio
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/antonio-di-iorio
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5151112/
Image Credits
Amy Sussman
Wojciech Wandzel
