EXCLUSIVE: Pahang-Born Composer Joy Ngiaw Wins an Emmy, Details Her Journey & M’sian Roots

It was an absolute shock for Pahang-born Joy Ngiaw, 31, when her name was announced during the awards ceremony.

Joy won Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Program at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards for her composing work on WondLa Season 2.

With many incredible composers also nominated, Joy said she was already thrilled just to see her name on the list. She was overwhelmed when she was crowned the winner for her category.

“I was flooded with emotions. Gratitude, disbelief, and joy all at once. It was such a surreal moment.”

In a conversation with WORLD OF BUZZ, Joy shares about her journey that led her to the global stage.

Joy connects deeply with emotions and tells stories through music

Ever since she was a child, Joy knew she wanted to pursue music and tell stories through it. Growing up as a sensitive child, she said she often connected deeply with her emotions and found a way to express them through music composition.

Joy’s parents never had the opportunity to learn music growing up, but they were deeply connected to the arts.

“I remember my dad playing the harmonica while my siblings and I staged little ‘talent shows’ at home. We made do with what we had, which taught me to find inspiration in everyday sounds.”

Her passion eventually led her to study Film Scoring at Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts, United States, where her path as a composer began.

“I made my way to Los Angeles, and I started working as an assistant to film and TV composers while building my own path as a composer,” she said.

“I started out scoring indie films and discovering my musical voice.”

When composing for WondLa, Joy drew inspiration from Southeast Asian and Asian musical traditions while blending them with orchestral and electronic elements to create a unique cinematic sound. To honour her roots, she incorporated instruments such as the Korean gayageum, Chinese liuqin, Vietnamese dan nhi, and the gayanggem, alongside Tibetan bowls and Mongolian choirs to create otherworldly feels.

Far from home, Joy’s fondest memories still lead back to Malaysia

When asked about her childhood in Pahang, she shared that she cherishes memories of celebrating Chinese New Year with her large extended family at her grandmother’s house in their kampung. The celebrations were always filled with laughter, fun, and plenty of good food.

Now based in the United States, Joy admitted that she definitely misses Malaysian food.

“More than that, I really miss the warmth of the community and the vibrant mix of cultures in Malaysia. It’s something I carry with me wherever I go.”

Staying connected to her Malaysian roots

When asked about how she stays connected to her Malaysian roots while building a career overseas, Joy explained that she carries the values and lessons her parents taught her growing up.

“I always strive to remember where I came from. Whether it’s through the music I create, the instruments I use, or the way I approach my work, staying connected to my roots helps ground me and reminds me of the community and culture that shaped who I am,” Joy shared.

Despite her achievements, Joy says she still views every day as a learning process. Even today, she enjoys experimenting with unconventional instruments by sometimes using everyday items like a salt shaker for percussion or sampling sounds from chopsticks and toys around the house.

Some of Joy’s recent projects include the theatrical romantic comedy Solo Mio and Monkeypaw Productions film The Pigs Underneath. Additional credits include Barbie Mysteries (Mattel/Netflix), Glamorous (Netflix/CBS), Short Circuit (Walt Disney Animation Studios), and Rescued by Ruby (Netflix).

Also read: Kuching-born Sound Mixer Is The 1st M’sian To Win An Award in Hollywood For His Works In Encanto