Taras Tkachenko

I am a graduate of Bard College, upstate NY, where I studied composition with George Tsontakis and Joan Tower. There I had the immense opportunity to hear my orchestral compositions performed by the American Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leon Botstein. My final year at Bard, I received the Jacob Druckman prize for excellence and innovation in music composition. Onward from there, I was admitted to the Aspen School of Music's Film Scoring Program, where I met and began my studies with Jack Smalley (with whom I will also continue to study at USC).

Although I have mainly been a New York resident for most of my life, I am originally from Kiev, Ukraine, and due to my Eastern European background, it is no surprise on occasion to hear various folk melodies and rhythms sneak their way into my compositions. However, studying Film Music has pushed me to acquire many new musical styles and to be able to better portray and compliment the various styles of drama on screen. My love for film has also greatly influenced my own artwork and animations; exploring the various effects music and picture can have on a person when used in proper unison.

Some of my major influences include Danny Elfman, Christopher Young, James Newton Howard, Ennio Morricone, Reinhold Heil, and Johnny Klimek. It is truly an amazing opportunity to be surrounded by so many gifted and talented artists here at USC; and I look forward greatly to the collaborative process with filmmakers and with other musicians to better my own craft and pursue my passion even further.