Composer and multi-instrumentalist Harley James Sheppard is a tapestry of influences, woven together from an eclectic mix of musical genres, artistic inspirations, and human experiences. With an early jazz education at conservatories in Southern California, he is fond of the raw experimental side of music, finding humanity in the dissonances. Harley loves manipulating recorded sound, creating unique textures that work hand in hand with unique pictures. Harley is continuously carving his distinct voice through exploration, expression, and a deep connection to storytelling.

Harley's scores have premiered nationally and internationally at top tier festivals such as the Rhode Island International Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, and Liverpool Film Festival. Films and concert works have also premiered at Tisch School of the Arts and The Juilliard School. Harley holds a high school diploma in Jazz Performance from San Diego School of the Creative and Performing Arts, as well as a bachelor's degree in Music Theory and Composition: Screen Scoring from New York University Steinhardt.

latest releases

credits



Wyrdweaver (2024)

Director | Khiari Jaffier

Who Raised You (2024)

Director | Daniel Gonzalez

The Dark Circle (2024)

Director | Yoyo Ding

Wrong Answer, Kathy! (2024)

Director | Pablo Freese-Fernández

Leave, Please (2024) 

Director | Hazel Fang

The Overlook (2023)

 [Music Editor] 

Director | John Gray

Patus (2023)

Director | Carter Beardmore

I Smell Like Basil (2022)

Director | Carter Beardmore

Reaching for Celestia (2022)

Director | Diego Grey Nuñez

Destiny's Dive (2022)

Director | Carter Beardmore

Rose (2021)

Director | Dwight Ellis

Static (2021)

Director | Dwight Ellis



How the Monsters Were Made (2024)

Director | Shareef J. Kinslow

High Noon (2024)

Director | Cameron Livesey

Buttons (2024)

Director | Jacob Dean

The Sunchaser (2024)

Director | Chloe Keer Liu

Earnestly Yours (2024)

Director | Sebastian Hunt

Pretense (2023)

Director | Pablo Freese-Fernández

CANINE (2023)

Director | Christin R. Carter

Birthday, Baby (2023)

Director | Kelly Kunyi Wang

The Lord's House (2023)

Director | Sebastian Hunt

Buster and the Birthday Bandit (2022)

Director | Dwight Ellis

Bad Music (2022)

Director | Alec Inagamov

#spookyszn (2022)

Director | Olivia Gaya

selections

score reel

SheppardHarleyJames_Reel.mp4

scores heard in...