John Vallely | Screen Composer for Animation & Video Games
About
John Vallely is an award-nominated screen composer who crafts tactile, character-driven sonic worlds for animation, live action, and indie games. With an organic, multi-instrumental approach, John blends rich orchestral soundscapes with bespoke live acoustic recordings, giving each project a distinct, human identity.
A member of the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland, John was nominated for Best Original Score at the Irish Animation Awards 2025 for The Scavengers. His background combines formal musical training — including a Master’s in Music and a Performance Diploma in classical guitar — with professional experience arranging orchestral scores for two-time Oscar-nominated composer Patrick Doyle (Harry Potter, Thor) on Netflix’s Big Mouth.
A strong believer in collaborative filmmaking, John also hosts “Working With the Composer” workshops for Ireland’s National Talent Academy, helping directors understand the composition process and develop more effective creative conversations with composers.
Alongside his screen work, John is an active contemporary artist. He is currently preparing a second solo piano release with Paragon Music Group, as well as an audio-visual release of a choral setting of poetry by Patrick Kavanagh.
Contemporary Chamber Music & Piano Works
Latest Release
Moments for Musing
Collection of Solo Piano Works
“Moments for Musing” is a soothing collection of piano works composed by John Vallely and released by Paragon Records. The collection is inspired by images which demonstrate the simple beauty of living in the present. The works explore feelings of nostalgia, hope, serenity and longing. Beautifully performed by pianist Juan María Matas at FJR studios, Granada, each track is a delicate reflection of those precious instances when we break from routine and allow time to simply ponder. The gentle piano melodies capture the essence of these fleeting moments, offering a gentle reminder to slow down, breathe, and savour the now."
Patrick Doyle - Two-Time Academy Award-Nominated Composer
"John served as an Assistant Composer on the Big Mouth project. His competency in large-scale score preparation and orchestration was key; he ensured absolute precision between the MIDI mockups and the final orchestral scores, guaranteeing highly reliable and successful delivery. I would rely on John's technical expertise and professionalism again without hesitation."
Vanessa Robinson - Co-Founder & CEO Little Moon Animation
"John’s work on The Scavengers was exceptional: a beautiful blend of cinematic scale and contemporary Irish music that instantly defined the show’s identity. He was a pleasure to work with throughout, and we’re very much looking forward to continuing our collaboration on future projects!"
Mark Gordon - Founder of Score Draw Music
"Working with John is always a brilliant experience. He quickly grasps the specific emotional and energetic needs of children's animation, delivering music that is vibrant and pitch-perfect for the target audience. His adaptability and efficient turnaround make him a perfect partner on projects like this and we would recommend him without hesitation to other producers"
Mark Aherne - Founder & Creative Director of Universe or Nothing (Video Game Developer)
"Working with John on Persevere has been a joy and a privilege. I already knew his talent and quality from listening to his work and speaking with him, but what surprised me was how quickly he adapted to a new medium, video games. He embraced the technology and possibilities of this new space, creating pieces that far exceeded what I imagined possible. Not only were they beautiful, they were crafted to adapt dynamically to events in the game. Just brilliant."
Inessa Kraft - Director & Producer
"John wrote incredibly beautiful music that matched my vision perfectly. He followed everything what I mentioned as important and made it more beautiful than I could even image, adding a special emotion to my film. I absolutely love it."