Joel Y. Hoo (符永敬) boasts a multifaceted career as a composer, improviser, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, distinguished by expertise in crafting music across diverse musical genres, tailored for online media, theater productions, and short films. His music stands at the convergence of orchestral and electronic music and treads the balance between post-minimalism and new complexities. Through his music, Joel seeks to stir the depths of human emotion by exploring profound and evocative themes such as nature, time, and the human journey of life. In addition to his notable discography featuring three albums, “Journey Home,” “Our Future Memories,” and “Fireflies,” Joel Hoo has scored music for films such as “Wuxing Warriors: An Asian American Epic” and “Wind Walker.” His works and improvisations have been performed and premiered at numerous venues across the United States, including captivating performances with One Found Sound in San Francisco’s Heron Arts and with the Midwest Chamber Orchestra in Disneyland and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Joel has also received awards and accolades within the music industry, including receiving the Theodore Presser Foundation Scholarship in Music in 2024, the One Found Sound Emerging Composers Award in 2021, the Indie Film Music Contest (Young Division) in 2021, and the Illinois Music Association Scholarship in 2020.

Joel Hoo

Joel Y. Hoo (符永敬) boasts a multifaceted career as a composer, improviser, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, distinguished by expertise in crafting music across diverse musical genres, tailored for online media, theater productions, and short films. His music stands at the convergence of orchestral and electronic music and treads the balance between post-minimalism and new complexities. Through his music, Joel seeks to stir the depths of human emotion by exploring profound and evocative themes such as nature, time, and the human journey of life. In addition to his notable discography featuring three albums, “Journey Home,” “Our Future Memories,” and “Fireflies,” Joel Hoo has scored music for films such as “Wuxing Warriors: An Asian American Epic” and “Wind Walker.” His works and improvisations have been performed and premiered at numerous venues across the United States, including captivating performances with One Found Sound in San Francisco’s Heron Arts and with the Midwest Chamber Orchestra in Disneyland and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Joel has also received awards and accolades within the music industry, including receiving the Theodore Presser Foundation Scholarship in Music in 2024, the One Found Sound Emerging Composers Award in 2021, the Indie Film Music Contest (Young Division) in 2021, and the Illinois Music Association Scholarship in 2020.

Available to hire

Joel Y. Hoo (符永敬) boasts a multifaceted career as a composer, improviser, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, distinguished by expertise in crafting music across diverse musical genres, tailored for online media, theater productions, and short films.

His music stands at the convergence of orchestral and electronic music and treads the balance between post-minimalism and new complexities. Through his music, Joel seeks to stir the depths of human emotion by exploring profound and evocative themes such as nature, time, and the human journey of life.

In addition to his notable discography featuring three albums, “Journey Home,” “Our Future Memories,” and “Fireflies,” Joel Hoo has scored music for films such as “Wuxing Warriors: An Asian American Epic” and “Wind Walker.” His works and improvisations have been performed and premiered at numerous venues across the United States, including captivating performances with One Found Sound in San Francisco’s Heron Arts and with the Midwest Chamber Orchestra in Disneyland and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Joel has also received awards and accolades within the music industry, including receiving the Theodore Presser Foundation Scholarship in Music in 2024, the One Found Sound Emerging Composers Award in 2021, the Indie Film Music Contest (Young Division) in 2021, and the Illinois Music Association Scholarship in 2020.

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Language

English
Fluent
Chinese
Intermediate

Work Experience

Music Composition and Production at Joel Hoo Music & Visual Media Productions
January 1, 2019 - Present
Independently composed, recorded, mixed, mastered, and released five original albums, demonstrating self-motivation and attention to detail. Collaborated with artists and musicians to create high-quality contributions and showcase music projects via promotional websites. Collaborated on multiple film and student animation projects, composing genre-bending and culturally nuanced scores blending cinematic orchestration with traditional instrumentation.
Video Director at Soundtrax Film Music Festival
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led creation and direction of performance visuals and video projections for live festival events. Oversaw visual design for multimedia concerts, compiled and integrated film clips and animations for seamless live execution. Coordinated with performers, composers, and production teams to adapt and acquire visual material for concerts.
Technology & Media Production Recording Assistant at Eastman School of Music
January 1, 2025 - Present
Assisted Multimedia Engineers with setup, dismantling, and operation of microphones and recording gear for performances and studio sessions. Monitored and troubleshot technical issues during recording sessions. Organized and maintained recording equipment inventory.
Music Production Intern at WE iTV
December 31, 2022 - July 13, 2025
Produced music for Christian media online videos including covers, instrumentals, and interviews. Collaborated with producers, musicians, and creators to develop videos and promote via social media. Assisted in film interview video production and audio troubleshooting. Led a team and improvised live music during conferences with continuous live music performances.

Education

Master of Music at Eastman School of Music
August 1, 2024 - May 31, 2026
Bachelor of Music at University of Urbana-Champaign
August 1, 2020 - May 31, 2024
Bachelor of Arts at University of Urbana-Champaign
August 1, 2020 - May 31, 2024

Qualifications

Indie Film Music Contest Winner
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
One Found Sound Emerging Composer Award
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Theodore Presser Foundation Scholarship in Music
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Non-Profit Organization, Computers & Electronics, Software & Internet
    uniE608 Wind Walker
    Wind Walker is a short film directed by Daniel Zhang. Set in Chicago in 1948, the story follows a deaf Chinese fan dancer on a relentless journey to avenge her mother’s murder. This is a sneak peek of the recording session with violist Katherine Park bringing this intense story to life.