Conversations with Maurice Willis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maurice Willis.

Hi Maurice, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started playing drums before I could walk- literally. According to my mom, I was already keeping rhythm before I was even born. By the age of four, I was playing in church, and by nine, I was touring across the east coast of the United States, performing with youth choirs and church organizations.

Music was always present, but it wasn’t always the plan. Growing up, I was heavily involved in athletics, especially track and field, and didn’t join my school’s band program until my junior year of high school—by accident.

After football practice one day, I took a shortcut through the band room and noticed a drum set already set up. With no one around, I sat down and started playing. Minutes later, the band director walked in, asked who I was, and told me to keep going. That moment became a turning point. The next day, he and his assistant taught me how to read music and I made the decision to leave football and join the marching band.

From there, everything accelerated. I became a featured drummer, performing on a full drum set during halftime shows and fully immersed myself in marching band, symphonic band, jazz band, and concert band. In just two years, I earned multiple awards and recognition for my musicianship and performance.

Even then, I didn’t immediately see what God was showing me about my future. After graduating I went to college to pursue a path toward medicine. While attending classes I also did an internship performing autopsies at the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office, teaching with Georgia State University Bio-Bus program, and preparing for medical school, including taking the MCAT.

But everything changed during a visit to meet with the dean of medical school admissions. In that moment, I heard a loud audible voice within me that said, “if you continue this path you will be successful, but if you trust me I will blow your mind.” It only took me about a day to decide that the medical journey was not my greatest path.

Fast forward a few months, I began experiencing chord progressions in dreams which led to me learning how to compose film scores for movies I had never seen. The inspiration came so frequently that I kept an iPad near the bed to capture the music as soon as I woke up.

After spending time in Maryland, I returned to Atlanta in 2015 still unsure how I would build a career in such a competitive industry. To make ends meet, I drove for a new platform called Lyft using my sister’s car—playing my original music for passengers along the way. One day, two riders asked about the music and were surprised to learn it was mine. They turned out to be young independent film directors.

Two years later, I was asked to score his feature-length independent film—despite having no formal experience in film scoring, piano, or digital audio workstations. Trusting God fully, I stepped into the opportunity. The film went on to win several awards at independent film festivals and was often praised because of the original score.

Since then, i have composed music or multiple projects, including seven films, a commercial, a television series, movie trailers, and audiobooks. What began as a leap of faith has grown into a career defined by creativity, purpose, and divine direction. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”…NKJV. When we are weak Christ is glorified for the world to see His goodness!

Today, I continue to travel and perform as a professional drummer for corporate clients and high-end luxury events around the world. My work has taken me from California to Doha, Qatar and everything in between.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth. There have been moments where I questioned everything—my direction, my decisions, and whether I was really built for this path. Financial uncertainty, transitions, and relationship challenges, and the mental and physical demands of pursuing something without a clear blueprint all tested me in different ways.

What kept me going was knowing that Christ was always there even in my darkest moments especially when it was because of me being stubborn.

Even in my lowest moments, I never felt abandoned. I came to understand that God wasn’t waiting for perfection from me—He was present through every mistake, every delay, and every challenge. He was just waiting on me to let go and let Him do all the work so He could be glorified!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As I stated in the previous questions, my current work is a musician and music producer. I can not say I have a speciality simply because God is always surprising me. I’m currently known as a drummer who happens to be a film composer. I am most proud of the fact that even though my journey didn’t have a traditional beginning, I can look back and say I am much happier with the decision I made and I look forward to the next chapter!

What I think sets me apart from other creators is my ability to give glory to God for my talents. So often I hear musicians and artists say “I am self taught” or “I came up with that myself”. I kindly like to remind people that there is technically no such thing as self taught because you have a creator, and that creator put every gift, talent, idea, and even the ability to comprehend it inside of you before you were even born. So self taught really means that you are naturally expressing what God put into you for His glory.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I’ll be honest, I’m more than likely not qualified to answer this question especially in the age of A.I. takeovers and class action lawsuits against streaming platforms.

I don’t know the plans for me in the future creatively but Christ does, doors He opens no one can close and doors He closes no one can open…He is my plug, my agent, my advisor, my everything. I look to glorify Him in all that I do creatively!

I like the idea of collaborating with independent creators and musicians from all walks of life. I also believe that with God’s wisdom we can use A.I. to our advantage to reveal more creativity.

Owning what we create is by far the most valuable asset in the creative space.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willislegacydrums?igsh=MTk4NzQ1NXB0enMweA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@willislegacyentertainment6358?si=V7O_G20QJGNY8rK0