Today we’d like to introduce you to Ece Muniroglu.
Ece, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I was seven years old, my father introduced me to the piano. He was so invested in music that we ended up taking piano lessons together. It started with the love of piano that a father passed down to his daughter. As a little girl, I wasn’t interested with learning the technical side of classical music, but as I started to play more complicated pieces and learn about the repertoire’s history, I found myself enjoying it more. I remember coming home straight from high school and practicing for hours and hours. I wanted to practice as much as I could play before it got late and the neighbors started to fuss. All I wanted was to play the piano. I also still remember the time I was watching Jurassic Park. When I heard the score, my mind was blown.
Towards the end of high school, I had to decide whether to continue with music or pursue something else. I wanted to follow music, but it didn’t sound realistic. I love mathematics, geometry, design, and colors. While driving in Istanbul with my family, we passed by a gorgeous building: the architectural campus of Istanbul Technical University. I said, “I want to study here.” So, I did. It took two years of preparation for the exam to get in. I had sleepless, studying nights and beautiful memories with my friends. I lived those years to the fullest, got my degree, and learned how to think like an architect.
While working on my final architectural project, I heard that Berklee College of Music was going to have an audition in Turkey that week. This was such a short time to get prepared—especially while working on my final project—but I really wanted to do it. It was like a dream. Despite my love for architecture, deep inside I always wanted to be a musician. I kept practicing all those years. One little moment in our lives, one little action, one decision can affect one’s future enormously. As soon as I heard about the audition, I shared it with my father who supported me fully. He knew if I didn’t do it, I would regret it for the rest of my life. I said, “I am going to take the audition, there is nothing to lose.”
I studied at the renowned Berklee College of Music, majoring in composition and music production. I conducted and recorded my music for the first time with an orchestra. I arranged, produced, and gleaned inspiration from amazing professors. Every day I learned, and eventually, my vision changed. I realized that I really love scoring for a story, a visual. I graduated in three and a half years and moved to LA to pursue film music.
Currently, I am scoring music for a variety of projects, including some feature films and TV shows.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been challenging and of course, I had struggles along my way. I don’t think it’ll end. Switching my career from architecture to music was a big step for me. I walked away from my reality, leaving behind my comfort zone and following my dreams. Moving to LA also brought a lot of struggles. I was already miles away from home in Boston; LA took me even further. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I had to deal with my Visa application, which all international alumni have to deal with. I didn’t know a lot of people. I had to find jobs, connect with people, try to settle in a new city where there is a ton of competition. Of course, it wasn’t easy. Everything starts with believing in ourselves. It took me a while to do it, but once you do, you’ll see new doors open. Everyone is actually able to do what they want to. As long as they have the discipline, passion, space and time to do it, and a little bit of luck. I was scared and uncomfortable too, but this is what enables learning and growing.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am currently scoring music for a variety of projects including feature films and TV shows. I am presently working on the animated children’s show “Fafa” with composer Emir Isilay. I also scored a feature film, a thriller called “A Deadly View” with Emir. I’ve been working on other projects related to children’s shows. I recently finished working on another animated kids project. I love what I do, and I feel very excited about it. I sometimes get scared thinking of the amount of the things I want to learn. But I know that as long as I keep doing it, I keep pushing myself into new things, I will learn.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I want to collaborate with different people, keep growing musically, and inspire people. One of my dreams is to write music for an animated character that will inspire kids. I can’t exactly see what the future will bring, but I am excited about it, and I hope I will have the time to do all the things that I want.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ecemun.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @ecemuniroglu
- Facebook: @ecemuniroglu
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
