Andrew Kierszenbaum C'20 is building a strong career in film and television composition, with his work on Netflix's Arcane being a major highlight. In this interview, Andrew talks about his path from Penn to composing for the popular animated series, offering insights into his creative process, the challenges of working on Arcane, and advice for aspiring composers.
Arcane is an animated series set in the world of League of Legends, blending stunning visuals with a gripping narrative. It explores the origins of iconic characters Vi and Jinx, delving into the social divides between the utopian city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. With its unique animation style and rich storytelling, Arcane offers an emotional and immersive experience that resonates with both fans of the game and newcomers alike.
About Me: From Penn to Arcane and Beyond
"My name is Andrew Kierszenbaum C'20, and I’m a composer for film and TV based in Los Angeles. Since graduating from Penn in Fall 2020, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to compose music for the Netflix original series Arcane, produced by Riot Games. The first season debuted in 2021 to critical acclaim, and I’m thrilled that my original music is featured in the upcoming second and final season, which will be released on Netflix on November 9th, 2024."
"I’m also a pianist, accompanist, and songwriter. I’ve been studying classical and pop piano since I was four at the Colburn School in LA. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of performing and writing music with artists like Sting, Shaggy, and Afrojack. One of the highlights of my career so far was performing live at The Game Awards in 2021 alongside Sting and violinist Ray Chen, streamed to over 85 million viewers."
"I studied music and psychology at Penn, and I can honestly say I loved every minute of it. The memories of music theory classes in Lerner, songwriting lessons in the Quad, and composing in the practice rooms at Fisher-Bennett are some of my fondest. I also spent a lot of time in the practice rooms under Harnwell College House, where I lived during my last two years at Penn, and where I performed in the annual Harnwell Arts Showcase."
"I’m deeply grateful to Penn for providing the knowledge, resources, and space to hone my craft, and to Philadelphia for being such an inspiring city during my time there."
Watch a scene from Season 1 Episode 9 of Arcane, featuring music written by Andrew:
My Creative Process on Arcane
"My creative process is very much driven by the piano. For me, the keyboard is central to almost everything I write, including the music for Arcane. I often start by sketching out ideas on the piano, and from there, I orchestrate and expand on them. Sometimes, especially for the upcoming second season, the piano remains a key element in the final piece, even after I’ve fully produced the music."
"Since Arcane is an animated series, we often worked to unfinished picture—writing music during the animation layout phase or even based on storyboards. This was a challenging but exciting process. At first, it was hard to capture the essence of the scene without all the visual effects, shot order, and final animation. But it was incredibly rewarding to see the same scene months later with all the animation and effects completed, now enhanced by the music we had written."
"Once the music for a scene—referred to as a 'cue'—is complete, we begin recording live instruments to elevate the sound. For Arcane, we often added live strings and solo instruments like violin, cello, and soprano vocals, and sometimes brass. One of my favorite experiences was recording myself at the piano for a cue in one of the later episodes. It was a special moment for me to integrate my live piano performance into a piece that I had composed."
"To record the strings, we worked with an orchestra contracting company in Berlin, and I was fortunate enough to travel there a few times to oversee the sessions. For the solo instruments, we used a studio in Los Angeles."
"After we get the live recordings, we replace the demo strings and solo instruments with the final versions. This 'live' touch makes the music feel more vibrant and emotional, and really helps to bring the scenes to life."
"After the live recordings are integrated, the cue is sent for mixing and then added to the show—sometimes while the animation is still unfinished! It’s a lengthy process, often taking a couple of months from the initial sketch to the final cue, which is wild when you consider that most cues are only 30 seconds to a few minutes long."
My Advice to Penn Students and Aspiring Composers
"I truly believe that Penn played a big role in shaping how I navigate both the music business and life since graduating. The work ethic I developed at Penn has been invaluable in my career. Arcane was developed by incredibly talented and passionate people, all deeply attentive to detail. I found that coming from Penn, where I had been surrounded by that same focused, detail-oriented energy, helped me fit right into this atmosphere."
"My biggest piece of advice for Penn students or anyone considering a career in composition is this: lean into and hone your passion for music. Practice and get really good at what you do, then let your passion fuel a detailed, diligent work ethic. There were countless times on Arcane where I spent hours discussing one specific sound or note in a piece of music with my fellow composers. We would analyze how the tiniest details affected the emotional impact of the scene, and I loved every minute of it. This kind of obsessive attention to detail made our work stronger, and it’s something that sets you apart in a world where some might settle for 'good enough.'"
"The relentless passion and commitment to detail will help you stand out as a composer and collaborator. That’s what will make you a better musician and someone people want to work with."
Listen to Andrew's League of Legends debut, "Bit Rush", used for the Login Screen within the Arcade 2015 event.
Watch Season Two of Arcane on Netflix, releasing in three-episode "Acts" on November 9, 16, and 23.