Meet the Composer

Currently based in Lehigh University, Loba Salami is an emerging composer whose works utilize rich orchestral color and distinct thematic motifs to bring out the narrative potential of any character/story.

His work has been recognized by Lehigh University and the NAACP for its memorable motifs and cinematic luminosity. A recipient of the Marine Corps’ Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence, Salami is dedicated to creating soundscapes that bridge the gap between traditional orchestration and modern storytelling. He's extremely passionate about writing music for films and documentaries, and is looking for any new experiences and opportunities, including ones from amateur film studios.

Salami was first launched into the wonderfully chaotic world of music by the late age of 13, joining the middle school beginner string orchestra. Funnily enough, he was reluctant to join, but his parents encouraged him since he had to choose an elective. Being a part of a musical community spun his life upside down, and he quickly found that his people were other musicians. 

For the last assignment of the year, they had to compose a small piece using Note Flight. Again, (noticing a pattern?), Salami was reluctant to do the assignment since he thought composition was boring. However, he quickly fell in love with the process. He would create a piece that was genuinely impossible. While the music made no sense, his teacher still told him something crucial before he left for high school:

"You should consider composition as a professional field."

And that was it. Salami was composing so much that he would repeatedly get scolded in other classes for it. Eating and talking with friends during school lunch? Composing. Playing video games after school? Composing. As he joined his high school orchestra (violin), concert band (french horn), marching band (trumpet), and jazz ensemble (double bass), his teacher caught wind of his interest and offered him a chance to write and conduct something for the school's symphonic orchestra. He would earn the Semper Fidelis Award from his early piece, 'A Cave Story'. 

He continues to compose as he enters his final year at Lehigh University, studying under Dr. Kyle Wernke. He recently composed a programmatic sonata, 'The Knights of Envy", for the Lehigh Philharmonic, winning several awards. In the near future, Salami sees a career in Hollywood, getting a masters in film composition before settling in Los Angeles, 2 hours away from his home town in San Diego. Currently, he’s preparing to study abroad in Vienna for the fall semester of 2026. 

In the future, Salami plans on applying for the Fulbright Scholarship to the Liszt-Ferenc Academy in Budapest, Hungary. Next, he looks towards applying for a masters in film composition before settling in Los Angeles.