Conversations with Marcus Manderson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Manderson.

Hi Marcus, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I never set out thinking I would have a career in sync licensing, trailer music, or custom composition. I was simply a kid who loved music, started playing piano at a young age, and eventually found myself saying “yes” to every opportunity that let me grow.

For the past 19 years, I worked at National Geographic, where I was originally hired as an in house recording studio engineer. That role gave me the chance to work on interviews, podcasts, live events, and productions that reached audiences around the world. Along the way, I kept telling people one simple thing: “I make music.” That simple sentence opened doors I never could have planned. Before long, I was composing music for National Geographic projects, museum exhibits, presentations, and eventually even experiences at Disney theme parks that are still heard every day.

At the same time, I was building my career as a composer and producer outside of work. What started with small opportunities grew into placements across Netflix, Apple TV Plus, BET, MTV, Bravo, Fox, Starz, and Paramount Plus, along with music featured by the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, and global brands like Monster Energy and the Smithsonian. One of my biggest milestones came with my first Netflix trailer placement, a moment that reminded me that years of consistent work really do compound.

As my career evolved, I realized my purpose was bigger than writing music. I became passionate about helping other creators understand the business behind creativity. That led me to organize and moderate panels at conferences like NAMM, SXSW, AES, and Sync Spotlight, teach workshops, and help lead songwriting camps across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Seeing other composers land opportunities because of relationships or knowledge they gained through those experiences has become just as rewarding as landing placements myself.

Today, I focus on composing custom music for film, television, trailers, games, brands, and live experiences while continuing to build community through education, speaking, and mentorship. Looking back, none of this happened because I had the perfect roadmap. It happened because I stayed curious, kept learning, built genuine relationships, and tried to leave every room a little better than I found it.

I feel incredibly blessed by the journey so far, and I believe the best chapters are still ahead.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
t definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.

Like many creatives, I spent years balancing my passion with a full time career. For 19 years, I worked at National Geographic while building my music career during mornings, nights, weekends, and just about every spare moment I could find.

I also spent more than 25 years serving through music in the church, where I learned not only musicianship but also leadership, collaboration, and the importance of creating something that moves people.

One of the biggest challenges was learning patience. Success in music rarely happens overnight. There were countless demos that never turned into placements, pitches that went unanswered, and opportunities that simply didn’t work out. You have to learn how to keep creating even when no one is clapping yet.

Another challenge was learning that talent alone isn’t enough. Relationships, professionalism, consistency, and simply showing up over and over again have been just as important as writing great music. Many of my biggest opportunities came from conversations at conferences, helping someone without expecting anything in return, or planting seeds that didn’t grow until years later.

Today I’m in one of the biggest transitions of my life. After nearly two decades at National Geographic, I’m stepping away from the security of a traditional career to focus fully on the business I’ve spent years building. That’s exciting, but it’s also humbling. Entrepreneurship comes with uncertainty, and there are no guarantees.

What gives me confidence is knowing this isn’t a leap based on hope. It’s built on years of experience, relationships, and consistent work. Every placement, every panel I’ve moderated, every songwriting camp I’ve helped organize, and every creator I’ve had the privilege to mentor has prepared me for this next chapter.

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that growth usually happens on the other side of discomfort. The biggest opportunities in my career have almost always started with saying yes before I knew exactly how everything would work out.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I compose music that helps people tell stories.

Whether it’s for a film trailer, television series, video game, global brand, museum exhibit, or live experience, I love creating music that makes people feel something. My work spans cinematic orchestral scores, trailer music, production music, and custom compositions, and I’ve been fortunate to have music featured by companies including Disney, National Geographic, Netflix, Apple TV+, Paramount+, BET, MTV, Fox, Starz, and organizations like the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, and the Smithsonian.

Beyond composing, I’m passionate about building opportunities for other creators. I organize and moderate industry panels, speak at conferences like NAMM, SXSW, AES, and Sync Spotlight, and help lead international songwriting camps that connect talented musicians with opportunities in film, television, advertising, and gaming. Teaching and community building have become just as meaningful to me as writing music because I believe success grows when we help others succeed too.

What I’m most proud of isn’t any single placement. It’s the impact. Knowing that my music has become part of people’s memories, whether they’re visiting a Disney park, watching a favorite show, experiencing a museum exhibit, or hearing a trailer that gives them chills. I’m equally proud of seeing composers I’ve mentored land their first placements, sign publishing deals, or discover that a career in sync is actually possible.

I think what sets me apart is that I wear several hats without losing sight of why I started. I’m a composer, producer, educator, speaker, and community builder. I understand both the creative and business sides of the industry, and I genuinely enjoy bringing people together. Throughout my career, I’ve found that some of the biggest opportunities don’t come from chasing placements. They come from building authentic relationships, creating value, and consistently showing up for others. That’s the approach that has shaped my career, and it’s the one I hope to be remembered for.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to focus on becoming valuable before becoming visible.

When I was starting out, I thought success would come from writing great music. While that’s certainly important, I eventually realized that relationships, consistency, and professionalism are just as important as talent. Many of the biggest opportunities in my career didn’t come from cold emails or submissions. They came from genuine relationships that were built over months and even years.

I also wish I had understood that there isn’t just one path to a successful music career. Today, composers can build businesses through sync licensing, custom composition, trailers, games, production music, education, content creation, speaking, sample packs, and many other avenues. Don’t put all of your hopes into one opportunity. Build multiple streams that complement each other.

Finally, don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Share your work. Attend conferences. Introduce yourself to people. Ask thoughtful questions. Be generous with your knowledge. Some of the seeds you plant today may not grow for years, but they can eventually become career changing opportunities.

Most importantly, enjoy the journey. It’s easy to become so focused on the next placement, the next client, or the next milestone that you forget to appreciate how far you’ve already come. Every project teaches you something, every relationship matters, and every step is preparing you for what’s next.

Pricing:

• Custom composition for film, television, trailers, games, brands, and live experiences: Custom quote based on scope, usage, and timeline.
• Speaking engagements, workshops, and conference panels: Custom quote available upon request.
• Songwriting camps, educational programs, and industry consulting: Pricing tailored to the event or organization.
• Music production, trailerization, and sync ready production services: Custom quote based on project needs.
• Sample packs, digital products, and online education: Various price points available through my website and online platforms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dafingaz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dafingaz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dafingaz
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dafingaz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/dafingaz1
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/da-fingaz