Check Out Dannyellis Meléndez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dannyellis Meléndez.

Hi Dannyellis, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story begins at the age of six, with my very guitar and my first video game: Yoshi’s Island. It seems now that these two aspects were fated to meet. I am currently a video game composer and guitarist. I was born in Puerto Rico and grew up there, with an interest and education in music from a very young age. By the time I reached high school, I knew I wanted to build a career path in music. I majored in Jazz Guitar Performance and obtained my B.M. in 2020.

However, obtaining a degree in live music right at the beginning of the pandemic meant I had time to shift my focus towards one of my points of interest: video game music. Composing was always an aspect I wanted to explore. Interactive music also added another layer of learning and exploration I later found out I really enjoyed. The intricate challenges of making music for games is a creative experience that I deeply enjoy. Music for media is a medium that is intimately tied to narrative. In films, it serves to communicate emotion, intention, mood and subtext of a character or a scene. For video games, all former apply, except now it informs the player. Music is no longer just interacting with the screen but also with you, the player. Music for games presents a different type of perspective, and I feel that it is this uniqueness that calls to me.

So I took to building my music production and composing skills and became part of a wonderful audio community. In 2021, I worked on my first video game: Manny the Super Manatee, which released this year. Since then, I’ve worked as a freelance composer and sound designer for games. I am also currently one of the organizers for Video Game Music Con Puerto Rico, a unique event dedicated to game music and sound design.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No worthwhile journey is without hardship. With that being said, I would consider I am pretty early in my career and the challenges I’ve faced have served as stepping stones in the road I’ve trekked so far. The challenge that looms upon me the most, I believe, is the reality that no two paths are the same. While it is comforting on some aspects, like the future constantly brimming with possibilities, it also means that there is more uncertainty. However, I’m lucky to have a support network of wonderful friends who have each had their own journeys and that is a source of inspiration and resilience for me.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work as a game composer and in general, as a composer for media, we collaborate to bring life worlds, stories and characters. Creating music that unravels the creative vision of a team is a magical experience, even more so within the concept of video games. I get to create possibility. Music has to be versatile, flexible; able to change and adapt at moment’s notice. Responsive, reactive and deliberate all the same. Something I always add one way or another in my music is guitar. Whether it is simple and straightforward or I’m using it to create complex textures, I feel that it is a core part of me and it always makes an appearance.

I’ve also had the chance to do sound design. Whenever I’ve had the chance to do sound design as well, I try to approach it in a musical way, trying to create a cohesive and harmonic interaction with the musical background.

I am also one of the co-founders of Trivium Studios and organizers for Video Game Music Con Puerto Rico. This is the very first and only conference in Puerto Rico dedicated to video game music and sound design. The paths and journeys of creatives are all varied and unique, so I believe that bringing our community together is vital to our individual and collective success.

I would say this is what I’m proudest of: the chance to take on this journey. Having the opportunity to work alongside so many creatives who have the same passion I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dannyellismelendezmusic.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/danny_compose?igshid=YjNmNGQ3MDY=
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyellis-melendez-a07142206
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/danny_compose

Image Credits
William Russell