Los Angeles, california
Michael Kirby Ward was raised in the wings of stage theaters across the United States, baptized in Gershwin melodies and fed a steady diet of John Williams orchestration, Jimi Hendrix guitar solos, Louis Prima swing, and Gustav Holst texture. After picking up a trumpet at the age of ten, a guitar at the age of fourteen, and a conductor's baton at nineteen, Michael's musical journey was well underway by the time he arrived at the Berklee College of Music to study Film Scoring (class of ‘12).
Ever since, he has worked with a myriad of artists across the country on an eclectic range of soundscapes: from small ensemble arranging, to fronting hard rock acts, to composing videogame soundtracks; Michael has collaborated on orchestral, rock, punk, folk, blues, jazz, electronic, experimental, and pop styles.
Notably, Michael composed and produced the original soundtrack for “Hauntii” by Moonloop Games, which received critical acclaim and numerous industry award nominations including for “Best Soundtrack” at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards. Michael’s work has also been recognized by the Game Audio Network Guild, National Academy of Videogame Trade Reviewers, and the Nyx Awards.
Now based in Los Angeles Michael continues writing and producing music for artists of all genres, across a full spectrum of media.
Michael is experienced in using Logic Pro, Kontakt, Digital Performer, Pro-Tools, and integrating fully adaptive music in Wwise & FMOD.
Michael is also available for private lessons and tutoring various instruments, music theory, songwriting, music production, composition, game scoring, and modern approaches to arranging. Contact to set up a consultation and price quote.