Composer & Orchestrator
Composes for concert music and film.
Orchestration for film and television.
Score prep.

Eric Schultheiss stands at the vanguard of contemporary composition, forging a unique path that bridges the rhythmic drive of global percussion with the infinite possibilities of digital sound. As a composer, percussionist, and educator, Schultheiss is acclaimed for his hybrid electro-acoustic works—pieces that fuse the organic pulse of drums with orchestral richness and the sonic innovation of modern electronics.

Rooted in a Southern California upbringing steeped in progressive rock, classical discipline, and the improvisational freedom of jazz, Schultheiss draws on a vast tapestry of influences. His music channels the off-kilter accents of Stewart Copeland, the lyrical intensity of Neil Peart, the storytelling depth of Peter Gabriel and Sting, and the progressive artistry of Genesis, Dream Theater, and Spock’s Beard. This synthesis results in compositions that are as intellectually rigorous as they are emotionally evocative.

Currently, as Head of Percussion Studies and Electro-Acoustic Composition at the Middle Tennessee Conservatory of Music, Schultheiss is an outspoken advocate for the DAW as a true instrument. In his hands, digital workstations become canvases for sonic experimentation, allowing for real-time orchestration, microscopic precision, and the layering of polyrhythms and timbres that would be impossible with traditional notation alone. He champions technology not as a shortcut, but as an authentic extension of the composer’s voice.

Signature works such as Lights Twinkle—a Christmas percussion-ensemble piece blending Japanese Taiko, harp, and haiku-inspired vocal textures—showcase his ability to unite tradition with innovation. Airidea’s Journal explores the dialogue between structure and freedom through dance-driven percussion and atmospheric synths, while As You Sleep and Terminal Memory reveal Schultheiss’ penchant for ambient soundscapes, introspective melodies, and cross-media collaborations. His compositions have been commissioned for film, dance, and multimedia productions, performed by leading ensembles, and praised for their intricate interplay of rhythm and resonance.

As an educator, Schultheiss is dedicated to shaping musicians who are not only technically skilled but also creatively fluent in both acoustic and digital modalities. At the Middle Tennessee Conservatory, he mentors young composers in hybrid techniques, polyrhythmic structures, and DAW-based workflows, encouraging them to embrace technology as a creative partner. His influence extends beyond the classroom, as he helps students gain visibility in the digital era and equips them to thrive in an evolving musical landscape.

Through his relentless curiosity, innovative spirit, and commitment to artistic growth, Eric Schultheiss is redefining what it means to be a composer in the 21st century. His work is a testament to the power of bridging tradition and technology, and to the limitless frontiers that await those willing to explore them.

Depuis mon enfance, la musique occupe une place particulière dans ma vie.
Les premières notes dont je me souviens remontent à quand j'avais 6 ans. J'écoutais alors des disques jetés par leur propriétaires et récupérés par mon père. 
Sur mon tout premier tourne-disques (sans écran à l'époque ;-) ), je passais mes journées à écouter toujours les 2 ou 3 mêmes disques de Mozart, Beethoven, Santana .... enfin ... les disques dont certaines personnes avaient estimé pertinent de se séparer.
Alors, quand vers 8-9 ans, je me suis retrouvé derrière un piano, j'ai rapidement retrouvé les repères de ce langage universel au bout de mes doigts. J'ai alors découvert d'autres génies de la musique : Chopin, Vivaldi, Bach mais aussi Hans Zimmer, James Horner, John Williams ....
Jouer la musique les musiques qu'on me demandait à toujours été un plaisir et est venu étoffer ma culture musicale. 
Et ma musique aujourd'hui est, je pense, le fruit de toute ces rencontres.
Au fur et à mesure, m'est venu l'envie de créer, composer.
Chose qui me paraissait impossible, moi qui n'ai pas eu de formation musicale classique.
Les choses sont pourtant venues naturellement. Mon leitmotiv étant que la musique est faite pour être partagée. 
Si elle me procure des émotions, peut-être quelques autres personnes pourraient ressentir les mêmes.
Alors partage les .... et la chance fera peut-être son travail pour les emmener jusqu'à vos oreilles... pour mon plus grand des plaisirs.

Bonne écoute.
Michel

ATA Music is an international music collaboration between Timothy William and Jure Jerebic; composers and producers from Orlando, Florida and Bonn, Germany.

Hello friends! I'm Vinnie Johnson, the music composer with more than one trick up my sleeve! I'm like a violin superhero, battling the villainous chords with my magical strings.

I'm always on the lookout for new talents to join me in my musical adventures. So, if you want to join me and learn how to create breathtaking music, feel free to contact me!

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