Israeli composer and orchestrator Danielle Hani, currently based in Los Angeles, has collaborated alongside some of media and musical theatre’s most iconic names.
Amongst a multitude of accolades, her contributions to the TV series We Were The Lucky Ones provided a huge platform to expand her creative reach, and as an orchestrator, her work has been performed by the likes of the Israel Netanya Kibbutz Orchestra.
We caught an interview with Danielle, to find out more about her unique musical journey, what inspires her, and her plans for the future. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hi Danielle – it’s amazing to connect with you! To introduce things, who or what first inspired your passion for musicals and composition?
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been drawn to music. I asked my parents to let me start piano lessons, and I remember spending hours at the piano, playing, experimenting, and composing new melodies. I was especially fascinated by composition; it always felt like something magical to me.
In high school, I started learning more about music theory and composition, and I absolutely loved it. I was exposed to a wide range of musical styles, classical, jazz, and musical theatre – and I was constantly curious to understand how they worked. I wanted to learn how to play these different styles, understand their harmonies, and figure out what made these compositions so powerful.
I’ve also loved musical theatre since I was young. I remember traveling to London with my family as a teenager and seeing The Lion King. I was blown away by the entire production – the music, the singers, the orchestra, the costumes, everything was just perfect. It felt like two hours of pure magic.
Later on, I had the chance to see more musicals in New York, and each time I was just as inspired. Those experiences made it clear to me that I wanted to be part of this world professionally.
Your repertoire is vast and immersive, works like ‘This is Our Only Chance’ providing a cinematic-audio realm of escapism both delicate and intense. Do you always begin with a theme or idea, a media format, and work from there, or does the music sometimes guide you?
I composed “This Is Our Only Chance” for a specific scene that begins with an intimate moment and gradually builds into a battle. When I score for media, I usually start by creating a musical theme that fits the character or scene. I then reuse that theme in different variations – changing the orchestration or expanding it as the scene evolves. Even if the scene shifts in a new direction, I try to bring the theme back at the right moment and use it as a foundation. This approach helps tie the score together and makes it feel cohesive throughout.
How did you get involved with the show ‘We Were The Lucky Ones’, and what did that experience teach you or bring out in your creative approach?
I got involved with We Were the Lucky Ones through the music team I had worked with before, and it was an amazing opportunity to contribute to a project with such a powerful and emotional story. I was involved in several aspects of the music process, including music editing, creating mockups, score preparation, and more. I also had the privilege of contributing as a pianist, and one of the most meaningful moments for me was performing Felicia’s Lullaby.
That piece was especially close to my heart. It’s such an intimate and emotional moment in the show, and playing it on piano gave me a deep connection to the characters and their journey.
The entire experience taught me a lot about the power of subtlety in musical storytelling. It reminded me that sometimes the quietest, most delicate choices can have the strongest emotional impact.
In what ways did growing up in Israel impact your musical direction and aspirations, and conversely, how different has your range of influence been since moving to Los Angeles?
Growing up in Israel really shaped the way I hear and think about music. I was surrounded by such a rich mix of sounds , from traditional Middle Eastern music to classical and jazz and that combination naturally made its way into my writing. Since moving to Los Angeles, my musical world has definitely expanded. I’ve been exposed to so many new influences , film scores, video game music, big studio productions. It’s pushed me to grow and to find ways to blend the sounds I grew up with into different contexts.
You studied film scoring at Berklee College of Music – how impactful was this period of education for you as an ambitious composer and musician, and do you find that education and theory / history help expand your creativity?
My time at Berklee College of Music was a significant chapter in my life and a major step in my professional journey. I gained a deep understanding of film scoring—learning how to analyze scores, study film music, and apply that knowledge by scoring scenes myself.
I also developed practical skills in areas like orchestration, conducting, score preparation, and mock-ups. Beyond the technical training, I had the chance to connect and network with many talented professionals from the music industry, which not only prepared me for my move to LA but also helped open some professional doors afterward.
The overall experience at Berklee was incredible. Being part of such a diverse and international community exposed me to a wide variety of musical styles from around the world. It really broadened my musical perspective—whether through learning different genres or collaborating with musicians from different backgrounds.
I also deepened my understanding of music history, including American pop history, and explored new areas of music theory that continue to influence my work today. All of this helped me grow into a more versatile musician and gave me a rich source of inspiration and references that I still draw from in my work.
You’re currently working on a new musical – what can you tell us about that?
Yes! I’ve been working on a new original musical called Rhapsody in Ruins. It started as a collaboration with two amazing writers who are also Berklee graduates, and we’ve been developing it together since 2023. The story follows a young band on the brink of success in a fictional world just as war breaks out, exploring how music, friendship, and resilience help them survive and find each other again.
The script is complete, most of the music is written, and we’re now finishing up a few demos. At this point, we’re focusing on pitching the show and taking the next steps toward production. I’m really proud of how far it’s come and excited for what’s ahead.
What else will you be working on in the next twelve months, and do you have an overarching ambition that you’re slowly moving towards?
In the next twelve months, I’ll be scoring a few indie films that are currently in development with directors I’ve worked with before, and I’m also looking forward to meeting new filmmakers to collaborate with.
I’m currently working at Sparks & Shadows, Bear McCreary’s company, where I’ve been contributing to some of his upcoming projects. I’m also continuing to write for several music libraries, which lets me explore different styles and stay creatively flexible.
On top of that, I’ll be focusing on Rhapsody in Ruins, the original musical I’ve been co-creating since 2023. I’m hoping to be involved in orchestrating, music directing, and playing piano in the production when it moves forward.
Long-term, I’m building a career where I can move between film, TV, games, and theatre – always working on projects that are driven by strong stories and meaningful collaboration.
What’s been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned so far about carving out a lasting career as a musician?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that consistency and hard work matter more than anything. A lasting career isn’t just about talent — it’s about how you show up, how you collaborate, and how you treat people.
“This industry is built on relationships, and being kind, respectful, and open goes a long way.”
Collaboration is such a big part of what we do, and people remember how you make them feel just as much as the work you deliver. I’ve learned to trust the process, keep growing, and stay grounded.
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Find Danielle Hani on Instagram or visit her Website.
