Pinar Toprak

Pinar Toprak is a trailblazing Grammy and Emmy-nominated composer, conductor, and performer, renowned for her ability to craft evocative, thematic scores that elevate storytelling across film, television, and video games. A pioneer in her field, Pinar made history as the first female composer to score a billion-dollar film (Captain Marvel), a multi-billion-dollar video game (Fortnite), and a theme for the NFL (Thursday Night Football), solidifying her status as one of the most influential voices in modern composition.

Toprak began her musical journey at the age of 5, studying violin at the prestigious Istanbul University State Conservatory. By 16, she had earned her degree in classical guitar. Her passion for film music led her to Berklee College of Music, where she completed the Film Scoring program in just two years, graduating at 19. She then advanced her studies with a master’s degree in composition, further refining her artistry. While deeply immersed in her classical training, Toprak also cultivated a profound love for jazz and electronic music—a passion that remains a vibrant part of her musical identity today.

With a career spanning blockbuster franchises, beloved animations, and groundbreaking video games, Pinar’s work resonates across a wide array of genres. Most recently, she composed the score for Paramount’s PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, her second film in the franchise, and the original music for National Geographic’s Africa Earth’s Wild Home, a landmark natural history event series. Her music also extended to James Cameron’s Avatar universe, where her score for Ubisoft’s Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and its expansion Secrets of the Spires earned her two GRAMMY nominations.

Pinar’s versatility shines through her diverse projects, which include composing the electrifying theme for NFL’s Thursday Night Football on Amazon and creating magical soundtracks for Disney theme parks, including the new Epcot score and the fireworks show. Her collaborations extend to the pop world, having written and produced music for Christina Aguilera’s Xperience Live Show in Las Vegas, and she made waves at the 2022 Oscars ceremony, conducting Billie Eilish’s haunting performance of “No Time To Die.”

A recipient of the prestigious ASCAP Shirley Walker Award and a four-time winner of the International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Original Score, Pinar’s dynamic and innovative style has earned her critical acclaim. Her more than 60 scores also include The Lost City (Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum), Netflix’s Slumberland and Family Switch, DC’s Stargirl, the animated series Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft, and HBO’s Emmy-nominated McMillions, to name a few.

With her innovative approach and creativity, Pinar Toprak continues to redefine the role of a composer in the entertainment industry, leaving an indelible mark on every project she touches.