Yagiz Oral shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Yagiz, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, traveling and exploring new places have been bringing me a lot of joy. With the intensity of projects and unexpected deadlines, I find that discovering different parts of the world not only inspires me but also helps me recharge. The fact that I can continue working while traveling gives me a great sense of freedom, and I return to my projects with even more motivation and creativity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a young composer working between Los Angeles and Istanbul, producing music for films, video games, and commercials. I’ve had the privilege of being recognized as a finalist in several prestigious organizations and collaborating alongside respected figures in the industry. My work ranges from major global advertising campaigns to independent video games that have reached large audiences worldwide. In addition, I’m the founder and conductor of an orchestra that began as a youth ensemble and has since evolved into a distinct organization in its own right. When it comes to media projects, I approach composition through the lens of storytelling, aiming to let the music serve as a narrative voice. This perspective has resonated with audiences, and in recent years, I’ve been regularly invited as a speaker at platforms like TEDx, which has allowed me to share my story and creative journey with a wider community.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I used to believe that success and building a career depended on a single project or a big-budget opportunity—that writing one great piece of music could suddenly change my life. Over time, I’ve realized that it never comes down to just one project, one score, or one organization. Instead, it’s an ongoing journey shaped by a series of choices, experiences, and growth along the way. Today, I understand that success is less about one defining moment and more about embracing the process, staying present, and finding meaning in the flow of each step.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most has definitely been the fear of failure. Especially earlier in my career, I was so focused on achieving success and realizing my goals as a musician that the idea of failing felt overwhelming. Over time, though, I’ve come to understand that failure is not only natural but also essential—it’s part of being human. What truly matters is how we learn from our mistakes and keep moving forward.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
For the most part, yes—the public version of me is very close to who I really am. That said, in my line of work, I often have to write music for stories and emotions that may not reflect my own state of mind at the time. Because of this, what people see in public or in photos doesn’t always capture the full picture of who I am. Still, I always strive to stay authentic and to let my true feelings come through in everything I share.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
If there’s one thing I would regret not doing, it’s continuing to explore the world and embrace new experiences. Traveling and discovering new places not only provide me with inspiration and motivation, but they also give me a profound sense of being alive. Experiencing the world fully is essential to how I connect with life, and missing out on that would be a true regret.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yagizoral.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yagizoralmusic/?hl=tr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yagizoral/
- Twitter: https://x.com/yagizoralmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yagizorall/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yagizoralmusic
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/yagizoral
Image Credits
Özgün Özdoğan
