I'm Dawson Akers, a Lexington, Kentucky-based composer, orchestrator, and musician who creates original scores for indie films, theatre, and concert works. I lead communications with directors and performers, record and edit audio, and mix and master music in DAWs to support a wide range of productions. My work spans film, stage, and educational settings, where I enjoy shaping soundtracks that fit a director's vision and bring stories to life. In collaborative projects with indie filmmakers, children's theatre, and university programs, I orchestrate arrangements, digitize scores into MP3 and PDF formats, and contribute both songs and instrumental pieces. I thrive on cross-discipline teamwork, mentoring through rehearsal scenes, and continually refining my craft across multiple musical genres and formats.…

Dawson Akers

I'm Dawson Akers, a Lexington, Kentucky-based composer, orchestrator, and musician who creates original scores for indie films, theatre, and concert works. I lead communications with directors and performers, record and edit audio, and mix and master music in DAWs to support a wide range of productions. My work spans film, stage, and educational settings, where I enjoy shaping soundtracks that fit a director's vision and bring stories to life. In collaborative projects with indie filmmakers, children's theatre, and university programs, I orchestrate arrangements, digitize scores into MP3 and PDF formats, and contribute both songs and instrumental pieces. I thrive on cross-discipline teamwork, mentoring through rehearsal scenes, and continually refining my craft across multiple musical genres and formats.…

Available to hire

I’m Dawson Akers, a Lexington, Kentucky-based composer, orchestrator, and musician who creates original scores for indie films, theatre, and concert works. I lead communications with directors and performers, record and edit audio, and mix and master music in DAWs to support a wide range of productions. My work spans film, stage, and educational settings, where I enjoy shaping soundtracks that fit a director’s vision and bring stories to life.

In collaborative projects with indie filmmakers, children’s theatre, and university programs, I orchestrate arrangements, digitize scores into MP3 and PDF formats, and contribute both songs and instrumental pieces. I thrive on cross-discipline teamwork, mentoring through rehearsal scenes, and continually refining my craft across multiple musical genres and formats.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Score Composer at Indie Filmmakers
June 1, 2023 - November 1, 2023
Composed an original score and soundtrack for multiple indie films; led communications with directors and audio editors; recorded and assisted with audio editing of all pieces.
Score Composer at Indie Filmmakers
February 1, 2025 - August 1, 2025
Continue d scoring assignments for indie films, overseeing production of original songs and instrumental pieces and ensuring alignment with directing vision.
Score Composer at Indie Filmmakers
September 1, 2025 - October 1, 2025
Worked on additional film projects; digitized scores into MP3 and PDF formats; collaborated closely with directors and editors.
Score Composer at Indie Filmmakers
January 1, 2026 - Present
Ongoing collaboration for film scores; participated in pre-production discussions, music direction, and post-production cleanup.
Stage Play Composer at Hey Milly Theatre
January 1, 2026 - February 1, 2026
Composed an original score including songs and instrumental pieces; revised and audio-edited each piece to align with the director's vision; maintained communications with director and stage manager.
Orchestration Coordinator at Lexington Children's Theatre
May 1, 2024 - August 1, 2024
Orchestrated arrangements of multiple songs for a play; digitized scores into MP3 and PDF formats; mastered and mixed all songs in a DAW.
Assistant Music Director at Eastern Kentucky University – Musical Theatre Department
January 1, 2026 - February 1, 2026
Helped lead full rehearsals for both vocalists and instrumentalists; studied the score and conducted the pit band during performances; led sectional and individual rehearsal.
Commissioned Acapella Arranger at University of Kentucky School of Music
June 1, 2024 - Present
Organized the arrangement of multiple songs by ear; led communications with the University of Kentucky’s The Acoustikats.
Choral Scholar at First Christian Church
October 1, 2025 - Present
Led the Bass section of the Chancel Choir; worked with the Director in and outside of rehearsals.

Education

High School Diploma at Woodford County High School
August 1, 2019 - May 1, 2023
Bachelor of Music in Music Theory and Composition; Musical Theatre Minor at Eastern Kentucky University
August 1, 2023 - May 1, 2027
ICeBERG Institute Attendee at ICeBERG New Music Institute
January 1, 2026 - June 16, 2026
HUES Composition Studio Participant at HUES Composition Studio
January 11, 2030 - June 16, 2026
Certificate in Music at National Society of Arts and Letters
January 11, 2030 - June 16, 2026

Qualifications

Certificate in Music
January 11, 2030 - June 16, 2026
All-State Choir Attendee
January 11, 2030 - June 16, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education
    Sweeney vs Sherlock

    Time, destroyer of all things, never lies.

    Witness literature’s most classic characters go head-to-head in this tragic and cryptic original story. Follow the world’s most brilliant and famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and the woeful Sweeney Todd as they navigate this broken and dangerous new world. Will the detective sift through the lies or will truth win the day again?

    Sweeney vs Sherlock

    Time, destroyer of all things, never lies.

    Witness literature’s most classic characters go head-to-head in this tragic and cryptic original story. Follow the world’s most brilliant and famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and the woeful Sweeney Todd as they navigate this broken and dangerous new world. Will the detective sift through the lies or will truth win the day again?