Universal Talent Development, in partnership with Universal Film Music and the participation of DreamWorks Animation and Universal Studio Group Music, has launched its fourth composers initiative, a program designed to seek and amplify rising talent in the entertainment industry.
Established in 2018, the Universal Composers Initiative was designed to find artists from both traditional and non-conventional professional backgrounds whose creative viewpoints translate into distinctive musical expressions. The two-year initiative provides participants with access to the studio process, while increasing awareness of this new talent not only within NBCUniversal’s vast network of executives, producers and directors, but also across the wider entertainment industry. Participants are provided with creative and professional development opportunities. They may also have the opportunity to pitch for NBCUniversal scoring projects.
Mike Knobloch, president of NBCUniversal Music and Publishing, Universal Film, spoke with Variety about the cohort, saying, “These are working composers who are maybe more at an emerging level, and what we want to do is provide a level of access, connectivity, experience, education, and insight in a way that maybe they would eventually get one way or another. But there are composers who deserve this as an accelerant to the trajectory of their career.”
The Universal Composers Initiative Participants 2026-’28 are: Annah Tencic, Marcus Norris, Logan Nelson, Katya Richardson, Kristen Personius, Forrest Gray, Claudio Olachea and Jeremy Earnest.
Knobloch said, “This is a real-world practical program through which we can provide a heightened level of exposure to our studio, filmmakers and executives, networking, mentorship advice and the opportunity to submit to score real projects. The Initiative affords us the mutual beneficial experience of getting to know a group of composers and helping them hone their skills in a way we wouldn’t be able to through the course of regular routine business.”
Since the Cohort’s inception, 10 alumni have gone on to score NBCUniversal features across Universal Pictures, Focus Features and DreamWorks Animation.
Beyond feature films, UCI alumni have worked on various NBCUniversal projects, including animated TV series, shorts, silent films in the Restoration Project, documentaries, commercials, theme park music, and more. 90% of alumni have been hired on an NBCU-related project.
Brandon Williams, SVP, Universal Talent Development, Universal Entertainment, said, “At NBCUniversal, we are deeply committed to discovering and empowering new talent. The Universal Composers Initiative reflects that commitment by providing emerging, high-achieving composers with meaningful, real-world opportunities to grow their careers within our studio ecosystem. Through initiatives like this, we’re not only investing in exceptional talent but also strengthening the creative pipeline that drives the future of our industry.”