Rob Simonsen

Early life

Rob began playing the piano by ear at an early age. His grandmother was a voice teacher and music was around him in his family. He would later study piano performance and music theory while being enrolled at Southern Oregon University, the University of Oregon, and Portland State University.

Career

Rob's first break into film composing was through the independent feature Westender in 2003. In 2004 he teamed up with Mychael Danna and has provided additional music and arrangements on Surf's Up, Fracture, Moneyball and the Oscar-winning, Life of Pi. The two have co-composed the film (500) Days of Summer, and the television series Dollhouse, created by Joss Whedon. His work includes the Sundance Film Festival features The Way, Way Back and The Spectacular Now plus the Lionsgate feature film The Age of Adaline and most recently Gifted and Going in Style.

In 2009, he opened his own studio, while The Hollywood Reporter named him one of the '15 Composers Primed to Take Their Place on the A List.'

Rob's music can be heard in nearly all iPhone 5 ads - he appears as the conductor in the commercials as well.

Awards

Films

Television