Belmont Alumnus Spotlight: Tyler Williams

Orchestrating Success from Animated Films to Video Games

Tyler Williams (M.M. '20) is making waves in the music industry, contributing his talents to major projects like "Despicable Me 4," "Puss In Boots: The Last Wish" and "EA Sports College Football 25." A graduate of Belmont's master's program in Commercial Music Composition & Arranging, Williams has quickly established himself as a versatile arranger and orchestrator in both the church music and film scoring worlds. 

Currently based in Cleveland, Tennessee, Williams balances his role as staff arranger and music director at First Baptist Cleveland with a thriving freelance career. His work spans from animated blockbusters to highly anticipated video games, showcasing the breadth of opportunities available to Belmont graduates in the Nashville music scene and beyond. 

Williams' journey to these high-profile projects began during his time at Belmont, where he interned with David Shipps, a renowned arranger and orchestrator in Nashville's bustling film, television and video game scoring industry. This connection proved invaluable, as Williams now collaborates with Shipps' company, the DAS Music Group, as an orchestrator. 

One of Williams' most exciting experiences came when he arranged and orchestrated the theme song for "The Amazing Race" Season 34 finale. "They filmed a live orchestra made up of talented Nashville musicians, and I was able to observe the entire process!" Williams recalled. 

Reflecting on his time at Belmont, Williams credits the University's prime location near Music Row as a key factor in his decision to attend. This proximity allowed him to forge connections in both the church music publishing industry and the media scoring world.  

“Belmont’s prime location near Music Row in Nashville helped me make connections in both the church music publishing industry, and the growing media scoring industry," he said. "You wouldn't believe just how many film, television and video game scores are recorded and produced just blocks away from Belmont's campus.” 

While at Belmont, Williams served as an accompanist for the Musical Theatre program, an experience he found invaluable. "I learned so much from the musical theatre professors just by sitting at the piano bench in their lessons and seminars," he shared. 

To current and prospective Belmont students, Williams offers this advice: "Reach out and network with your fellow classmates! Four years after graduation, I still find myself working on exciting projects with talented arrangers I once called classmates. Your fellow students are one of the best assets you'll find on campus." 

As Tyler Williams continues to orchestrate his success story, his journey serves as an inspiring example of how Belmont prepares its students to harmonize their passions with professional opportunities in the ever-evolving music industry.