Hi there, I’m Sarah Devin Kaufman, a composer for film, television, and digital media based in Los Angeles. I’m drawn to romantically heart-broken minor-key melodies and I love crafting piano and orchestral textures that support storytelling and emotion. My background in journalism and narrative research informs my sensitivity to tone, pacing, and character. I work independently or collaboratively, delivering finished cues on tight deadlines and adapting and brainstorming based on creative feedback.…

Sarah Devin Kaufman

Hi there, I’m Sarah Devin Kaufman, a composer for film, television, and digital media based in Los Angeles. I’m drawn to romantically heart-broken minor-key melodies and I love crafting piano and orchestral textures that support storytelling and emotion. My background in journalism and narrative research informs my sensitivity to tone, pacing, and character. I work independently or collaboratively, delivering finished cues on tight deadlines and adapting and brainstorming based on creative feedback.…

Available to hire

Hi there, I’m Sarah Devin Kaufman, a composer for film, television, and digital media based in Los Angeles. I’m drawn to romantically heart-broken minor-key melodies and I love crafting piano and orchestral textures that support storytelling and emotion.

My background in journalism and narrative research informs my sensitivity to tone, pacing, and character. I work independently or collaboratively, delivering finished cues on tight deadlines and adapting and brainstorming based on creative feedback.

See more

Language

Russian
Advanced
Ukrainian
Intermediate
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate
English
Fluent

Work Experience

Private Piano Teacher at Music School
June 1, 2025 - Present
Designs and teaches individualized piano curricula rooted in classical technique, sight-reading, and musical interpretation; cultivates a supportive environment that encourages self-expression and sustained artistic growth.
Project Coordinator at Peace of Mind Records
June 1, 2025 - Present
Builds and maintains comprehensive Excel databases tracking catalog, publishing rights, and licensing data to streamline operations and marketing; facilitates artist relations with transparent communication, timely publishing-fee payments, and accurate royalties documentation; supports release schedules, asset archiving, and administrative workflows across projects.
Researcher at American Sunlight Project
November 1, 2024 - Present
Analyzes ongoing social media traffic using monitoring tools and data sources; drafts memos for clients with analysis and suggested communications interventions; shares expertise on misinformation campaigns, foreign actors shaping social media trends, cross-platform amplification, and evolving social media ecosystems.
Social News Gathering Reporter at NBC News Digital
December 1, 2019 - January 1, 2024
Verified UGC of breaking news with visual investigation teams by cross-referencing public records and open-source information on social media; produced collaborative investigative pieces and covered major stories, including Crimea-related events and January 6 coverage.
Breaking News Reporter at Mic.com
February 1, 2013 - August 1, 2013
Pitching and writing at least three articles daily, focusing on Eastern Europe and domestic breaking news.
Community Reporter at Patch Media
June 1, 2016 - February 1, 2017
Pitched, wrote, and edited at least five articles daily, prioritizing local community sources; mastered FOIA and other public records databases.
Breaking News Reporter at Vocativ
August 1, 2014 - April 1, 2016
Reported fast-paced breaking news and edited using FOIA and public records sources to verify and contextualize stories.
Case Manager at Center for Domestic Violence Against Women
September 1, 2010 - May 1, 2011
Translated cases for the European Court of Human Rights from Russian to English.
Associate Communications Manager at Civitas Child Law Center at Loyola University Law School
May 1, 2009 - May 1, 2010
Built social media presence of Child Law Center and drafted internal communications; contributed to grant proposals and administrative organization.
Composer, Producer, Orchestrator, Pianist, Singer at Gussie B Original EP
January 1, 2025 - Present
Orchestrated and produced the title track, “Loved for It,” set to romantic vintage Disney clips; recorded piano and vocal performances; developed a cohesive sonic identity across multiple pieces and explored production elements in an avant-pop setting.
Composer at Selected Original Works
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
Composed and produced multiple original pieces (2024–2025), including pieces like “Dancing Alone” (piano solo with water-color imagery) and “Narcissus Gets a Paper Cut” (energetic, fast-paced piano work inspired by Zemfira), building thematic material for narrative media.
Project Coordinator at Peace of Mind Records
January 1, 2024 - Present
Coordinated with artists and creative teams on release timelines and deliverables; organized creative assets and production workflows for each artist; facilitated clear and respectful communication across creative and administrative teams.

Education

MSJ, Journalism at Northwestern University
December 1, 2012 - December 1, 2013
BA, Russian Studies; Gender & Sexuality Studies at Bryn Mawr College
August 1, 2006 - June 1, 2010
Certificate: Managing Risk in the Information Age at Harvard University
September 1, 2018 - September 1, 2018
TORFL-III / C1 Russian Language; ACTR Russian Flagship Program at St. Petersburg State University
January 11, 2030 - December 18, 2025
M.S. in Journalism at Northwestern University
January 11, 2030 - December 18, 2025
B.A., Russian Studies at Bryant College
January 11, 2030 - December 18, 2025

Qualifications

TORFL-III / C1 Russian Language
January 11, 2030 - December 18, 2025
ACTR Russian Flagship Program
January 11, 2030 - December 18, 2025
Harvard University Certificate, Managing Risk in the Information Age
September 1, 2018 - September 1, 2018

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Education, Government, Professional Services
    paper Loved for It, Original Composition

    I wrote this song about loving all the different parts of yourself. I composed, orchestrated, produced, and mixed it myself. I made it a soundtrack to some of my favorite vintage Disney clips.

    paper Narcissus Gets a Papercut, Original Composition

    I wrote this solo piano piece inspired by the feeling of a self-centered person never able to relax, always focused on the little inconveniences of life.