Originally a classically trained violinist, Derek is based parttime in Los Angeles, composing freelance for film and TV, and parttime in Beijing, composing for the Beijing Dance Drama and Opera.
Derek's main musical interests are in orchestral, world, electronic, and ambient music. He's greatly inspired by Jerry Goldsmith's lush and soaring themes, James Newton Howard's and Thomas Newman's inventive sound design, Bear McCreary's and John Powell's mastery of percussion, and Maurice Ravel's and Sergei Prokofiev's exquisite orchestrations.
Derek's credits include feature documentaries, short films, TV pilots, and serving as Randy Newman's technical assistant on "Princess and the Frog" and "Toy Story 3".
Top tracks by Derek Zhao
