Leo Birenberg

Biography

Leo Birenberg is an American composer and orchestrator renowned for his work in film and television. Born in Kentucky and raised in Chicago, he developed a passion for music early on, which led him to study composition at New York University (NYU) and the University of Southern California (USC).

During his academic tenure, Birenberg began composing scores in collaboration with his roommate, filmmaker Jeremy Reitz. This partnership marked his initial foray into the world of film scoring. A pivotal moment in his career occurred when he had a chance encounter with composer Christophe Beck, known for his work on films like "Frozen" and "Ant-Man." Beck took Birenberg under his wing, providing mentorship and opportunities to work on major projects.

Under Beck's guidance, Birenberg contributed as a score coordinator and additional music composer on several high-profile films, including "The Muppets" (2011), "Pitch Perfect" (2012), "Frozen" (2013), "Edge of Tomorrow" (2014), and "Ant-Man" (2015).

Transitioning to independent projects, Birenberg co-composed the score for the acclaimed series "Cobra Kai," a continuation of the "Karate Kid" saga, alongside Zach Robinson. Their collaboration received widespread praise for blending nostalgic elements with contemporary sounds, effectively capturing the show's essence.

Beyond "Cobra Kai," Birenberg has showcased his versatility by scoring a variety of projects across different genres. His work includes the animated series "Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous," the coming-of-age comedy "PEN15," and the biographical film "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story," for which he earned a Primetime Emmy Award alongside Robinson.

Throughout his career, Leo Birenberg has demonstrated a remarkable ability to craft memorable and emotive scores, establishing himself as a prominent figure in contemporary film and television music.