ABOUT

MICHAEL R. MOLLURA

PhD,MA,MFA

Film | TV Music Composer

"Michael Mollura is a genius in his mastery of music and his dedication to revealing the vibrations of Soul." Motion Picture Producer Adam Schomer  

Michael Mollura's music compositions have been used for theater, cinema, TV, commercial and world music genres since 1991 in more ways than can be documented here. His extensive experiences as a composer, studio musician and performer makes his perspective unique and complements his ability to effectively relate and serve others in the entertainment industry with a tremendous amount of authenticity, compassion and enthusiasm. Michael's music offers a fresh take on old-school and alternative contemporary theme scoring strategies that keeps viewers engaged, touched and inspired.

Mollura is primarily known as being the critically acclaimed composer for such feature films as:  CLIMATE REFUGEES, AWAKE: THE LIFE OF YOGANANDA, THE HIGHEST PASS, HARE KRISHNA and HEAL.  Michael Mollura has been the "go to" composer for films that have dramatic spiritual or healing themes including dark Gothic and Psychological Thriller genres as evident in dramatic feature films like Nebraska, Reconciliation and Clarity.  His blend of traditional Eastern musicality and western minimalism is an alchemical solution to any production seeking depth with an original and memorable score. 

Mollura is widely recognized and respected in the entertainment, academic and spiritual communities as someone you can rely on to complete projects. His expertise and strategies as a music master has been called versatile, fresh, introspective and backed with trained intelligence from New York University and the University of Miami. 

Michael Mollura first broke out as a composer for theater in New York City providing challenging theme music for off-off Broadway productions such as Bertolt Brecht's Good Woman of Szechuan, Jean Paul Sartre's The Flies as well as other experimental minimalistic productions incorporating dance, movement and art. After scoring several documentary shorts while recording and performing in various music ensembles, he scored his first full-length film NEBRASKA in 1998. Since then, he has written music for several projects while also playing a vital role in the appreciation of music from around in the world.

Mollura completed the score for Penn State Football team feature film titled SAVING THE ROAR in 2022 with Climate Refugees director Michael Nash. Mollura has been doing Q&As for the theatrically released film HEAL throughout the United States and is completing work on a 10-part doc drama series for i2i Productions Road to Dharma. In addition to that he is also completing work on a documentary episode titled DENT produced by Juliette Marquis on his lifework as a composer and his revolutionary ground breaking work with dreams and music.

Mollura also has a project where he composes music to the dreams of people who dream chronically as a way of accessing deeper experiences of the dream phenomena and to facilitate healing.  Michael holds two masters degrees as well as a PhD in dream-psychology using a Jungian lens. 

Mollura currently lives in Los Angeles, but is available for productions in any part of the world including lectures - panels - performances - and film festivals.

2024 - FINDING PEACE - Inspiring feature film tracking a Tibetan Monk through Iceland with epic music. More information to come.

2022-2024 - DREAM MUSIC COMPOSITIONS - music based on the actual sleeping dreams of real people. For more information go to http://www.drmichaelmollura.com

2021 - SAVING THE ROAR - An uplifting feature film directed by Michael Nash about the aftermath of controversy at Penn State Football program.

2018-2020 - ROAD TO DHARMA - TV docu-series produced by Adam Schomer. Now available for streaming on Amazon, Itunes and Apple. 2020

2020 - MUSTANGS & RENEGADES - TV/Documentary on the plight of wild horses in corporate America. With music by Michael Mollura. https://theamericanwildhorse.com/

2017 - HEAL documentary featuring Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Anthony William (The Medical Medium) and many more world–renowned health experts. Currently available for streaming on NETFLIX. Original music score by Michael Mollura.  

2017 - Completed original scores for Yadubara Das film: HARE KRISHNA. 

2016 - Composed an original score for Jill Goldman’s film: THE GIRL BEFORE the MIRROR.  In addition to many dream music pieces for freelance projects.

2015 - Mollura composed a score for Adam Schomer’s ONE LITTLE PILL and CLARITY starring Nadine Valazquez.

2014 - 2015- Mollura composed scores for the feature film AWAKE THE LIFE OF YOGANANDA directed and produced by Paola Diflorio, Lisa Leeman and Peter Rader CP Films. Available on Netflix and Amazon. 

2012 - Winner of HMMA Award for BEST SONG for an Indie Feature and BEST SCORE for an Indie Feature.

2011- Composed the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL features HOT COFFEE and  CLIMATE REFUGEES as well as critically award winning feature films RECONCILIATION and THE HIGHEST PASS.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Award-winning feature film composer Michael R. Mollura has worked on a plethora of films that have premiered at celebrated festivals such as The Sundance Film Festivals and The Illuminate Film Festival.   

Mollura has created original scores for popular documentaries such as  HOT COFFEE that was purchased by HBO and award-winning dramatic feature films such as RECONCILIATION, Nebraska and Clarity.

Michael Mollura also composed the “haunting” (Variety magazine Review; 2010) score for the feature film CLIMATE REFUGEES which had its premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

For consecutive years, Michael has been selected to participate in the Sundance Film Festival’s prestigious BMI Director/Composer Roundtable. 

Michael's award-winning composition for the feature film, The Highest Pass  included "Best Song" for the title track with vocals by supergroup rockstar JON ANDERSON of the band YES.

In 2010 Michael also completed a score for a special DVD/Art project in collaboration with well known psychotherapist/author/photographer, Robert Romanyshyn titled ANTARCTICA. The music for this project is hypnotic, transformational and soulful and part of a series of projects investigating the psychological impact of sound and images.

Mollura’s music is currently airing on a national commercial for T-MOBILE and his pieces have been licensed for everything from sports action cues to romantic drama and coming of age themed projects.

Mollura’s work includes music compositions which have been used for theater, cinema, TV, commercial and world music genres in more ways than can be documented here. His extensive experiences as a composer, studio musician and performer makes his perspective unique and complements his ability to effectively relate and serve others in the entertainment industry with a tremendous amount of authenticity, compassion and enthusiasm. Michael’s music offers a fresh take on old-school and alternative contemporary theme scoring strategies that keeps viewers engaged, touched and inspired. Mollura is well respected and deeply appreciated in his working relationships. This is evident in that Michael has consecutively been selected by BMI to take part in a distinguished panel at The Sundance Film Festial as a veteran composers where directors and the like, discuss the importance of having a positive relationship with everyone during the production process of any project by invoking the spirit of love, creativity and the imagination on any any project regardless of its thematic content.

HISTORY & TRAINING

Widely recognized and respected in the entertainment, academic and spiritual communities as someone you can rely on to complete your personal mission or current projects, Michael’s expertise and strategies as a music master is versatile, fresh, introspective and backed with trained intelligence from New York University and the University of Miami. Michael takes great pride in being able to write music of almost any genre, but feels he is most aligned with films with spiritual, family, drama, children, documentary, World and psychological thriller themes.

Michael Mollura first broke out as a composer for theater in New York City providing challenging theme music for off-off Broadway productions such as Bertolt Brecht’s Good Woman of Szechuan, Jean Paul Sartre’s The Flies as well as other experimental minimalistic productions incorporating dance, movement and art. After scoring several documentary shorts while recording and performing in various music ensembles, he scored his first full-length film NEBRASKA in 1998. Since then, he has written music for several theater and commercial projects while also playing a vital role in the preservation and appreciation of music from around in the world.

TESTIMONIALS

“Michael Mollura is a treasure! The attendees of our Esalen Inspirational Film Festival absolutely loved taking part in his first ever Dream Music Master Class -- almost as much as we loved presenting it! Michael masterfully intertwined his warm and intuitive nature with his deep knowledge of the science (and art) of dreams in a way that both informed and inspired. The icing on the cake was to observe his creative genius as he composed such impactful music right before our eyes!”

- Christine E. Leuthold Co-Director of The Esalen Inspirational Film Festival Brand strategist and voiceover artist for greater good initiatives

“Michael Mollura is all heart. As a master storyteller through music composition,  unique in his vision and diverse in his range, Michael truly enters in to the spirit of each film he approaches. With remarkable sensitivity and a breadth of experience at his fingertips, he lifts whatever he touches to new heights. Prolific, talented, and a skilled collaborator, he is a filmmakers dream.”

Lauren Ross, Producer & Director - HARE KRISHNA! 

“The moment I heard Michael's music, it went straight to the heart and I knew I wanted to work with him. 

Michael is a consummate artist and humanitarian––his scores speak volumes in this regard.”

Paola di Florio, Co-writer/producer/director: AWAKE: The Life of Yogananda, Consulting Producer: Hare Krishna: The Mantra, The Movement and the Swami who Started it all

"Michael is a gem of a person, great to work with and added a huge amount to the production value of our film with his brilliant mixing of Western and Indian music. His musical emotional highs and lows added so much to Prabhupada's story. Michael was always on call, did his very best to deliver on time and when we came up against an unexpected music rights issue, delivered the same day! I would consider it an honor to work with Michael again."

John Griesser, Producer - HARE KRISHNA! 

“When I first talked to Michael, I knew he was my guy. He understood my vision, the truth of this film, and how we wanted the music to reflect a fusion of spirituality and adventure. Michael knows the sacred sound because he lives it. He can play music that touches us deeply because he has gone there and goes there himself. Michael’s rich talents are supported by his vast network of musicians which is a testament to his years of building bridges and friends in the industry. So trusted and appreciated is he, that the legendary Jon Anderson came on to this project through him. On this project Michael no less than magically whisked up track after track, creating what seems like three albums worth of work in no time at all. Nothing but the highest regard for michael and his tireless effort to share our vision in the form of film and music. I so believe in Michael that I hand delivered and sat down with his next clients, showing them the work he did on our film, well before the film was released. I wanted them to know, that Michael is there guy and your guy.” 

Adam Schomer, Writer & Producer - THE HIGHEST PASS

"Michael has really allowed my films to breathe for the first time. He is uber talented in blending visuals, emotions, and the story arc with music. If you want your project to go to the next level, call this music mad man.”  

Michael Nash, Director - CLIMATE REFUGEES & NEBRASKA

“I recently completed directing a low-budget indie feature film, RECONCILIATION, and as I turned my focus to the post sound work I was at a crossroads with regards to the score/music. Should I use a band I was friendly with but had no experience scoring a movie, or should I search for a composer? My biggest dilemma was money.One afternoon one of the main actors called me and said I have a composer friend who read the script and he’d love to speak with you about scoring the movie. I expressed the fact that we didn’t have much money to offer, but he said just do me a favor and meet with him. In the meantime, Michael sent me over some samples of music he envisioned for the movie. I was conflicted because I wanted to work with him but didn’t have much to offer and I didn’ know if what little I had to offer should be used in other areas of post production. To make a long story short, I hired Michael (which came with his team of musicians and engineer and producer) and it was one of the best decisions I made. Michael and his team poured their heart, sweat and soul into delivering a compelling, moving score that complements the movie from beginning to end. He has been professional, easy to work with, accommodating and a true blessing to our project. I can’t put a price tag on what Michael and his team delivered. I would hire Michael again and again. I’m truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with him and I’m confident beyond a doubt that I made the right decision hiring him.”  

Chad Ahrendt, Director - RECONCILIATION

CLICK HERE FOR MORE TESTIMONIALS

INTERVIEWS

Interview with Laura Kay McLauchlin about Dream Music and Music Composing.

MUSIC

CLICK THE POSTERS TO HEAR MICHAEL'S WORK 

TRAILERS

The Road to Dharma 

SCORE BY MICHAEL MOLLURA

This TV docu-series takes us on a daring motorcycle adventure into the Indian Himalayas and towards the four sacred sites: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Tungnath, Hemkund... and the Hidden Valley of the Flowers. These peaks rise to heights from 13,000 - 17,000 feet, revealing hidden villages and the teachings of freedom. The eight riders are lead by the enigmatic Anand Mehrotra, an Indian Yogi whose depth and wisdom move our souls, and whose youth and vitality capture our hearts.

• View The Road to Dharma

AWAKE

SCORE BY MICHAEL MOLLURA

Unique biopic about Yogananda, author of The Autobiography of a Yogi. In the 1920s, he brought Hindu spirituality to the West. This tells the story of his life and influence on yoga, religion and science, combining re-enactment, interviews, and verité. starring Anupam Kher and directed by Paola di Florio, Lisa Leeman. 

• Listen to the full score on SoundCloud
• View AWAKE

REELS

VIDEOS

EVENTS

As of May12, 2020 - The TV SERIES ROAD TO DHARMA featuring new and original music composed by Michael Mollura is NOW AVAILABLE on iTunes, AppleTV, Amazon and Digital Platforms. Episodes 1&2 are Free on iTunes, AppleTV and PRIME.  Honestly this is some of the best music work I have ever done and features performances by many of my favorite musicians. An album of the music is currently in production and should be available this summer — but many of the pieces used in this series can currently be found on my soundtrack for the movie this series is based on THE HIGHEST PASS.

To access it or for more information visit www.roadtodharma.com

Interpreting Dreams through Music in Vienna (temporarily postponed due to Covid 19)

Spend a week (July 30-7 2020) of Self exploration in Vienna the city of music with award-winning composer Michael Mollura.  On this special trip Mollura will take you on a journey into the unconscious that will include lectures and presentations on putting original music to dream images as well as tours and circle discussions about the healing components of music with sound baths and concert performances with special guest musicians from Vienna. 

Early registration before February 15 and you will receive a generous discount. Find friends to join and you could go for free or get more of a discount. Limited space so go for it now.

Imagine going to the rooms where some of the greatest composers who have ever lived composed the greatest music ever and going to where Sigmund Freud wrote the famous Dream Book.

Contact Dr. Leslee Brown PhD to register and with questions at Info@mindbodypassport.com

For fees, itinerary and more information please visit  

https://www.mindbodypassport.com/vienna

~ON December 14, 2019 - 7pm, Olandar - Dream Music Healing with Michael Mollura and Musical Guests. This interactive experience allows participants to learn more about the hidden meaning in their dreams as they discuss and explore dream concepts with Michael Mollura, PhD. Michael composes live music to accompany the dream stories that participants recount, so it is highly recommended that guests “bring a dream”. This incredible form of healing and self-discovery is highly acclaimed and Michael Mollura is currently the only practitioner in the world who offers it. In addition to the incredible dream music experiences of the evening, the event will be hosted at Olandar in Malibu, where guests will be granted exclusive access to tour the infamous library with floor to ceiling artwork.

~ON October 26, 2019 - 6pm, Barbara Sneider Presents Dream Music Healing with Dr. Michael Mollura & Musical Guests performing, a screening of the documentary DENT: The Healer, about Michael’s work as the world’s first dream music therapist, and guest dream exploration, with Michael composing live music to accompany guests dreams.

~ON September 21, 2019 - 7 pm Olandar - ROAD TO DHARMA screening of 3 episodes. Composer Michael Mollura will perform a brief invocation before the screenings followed by a Q&A. Road to Dharma is a 10 episode epic TV Series set in the Himalayan mountains. For more information contact Carla McCloskey at carlamccloskey@aol.com

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