How Tori Letzler Turned Childhood Inspiration into Her Own Cinematic Reality

Inspired by John Williams’ unforgettable performance at Tanglewood when she was just 10 years old, Tori Letzler’s passion for film music ignited into a thriving career. In this interview, Tori shares how that pivotal moment shaped her journey from opera conservatories to scoring Netflix series and singing on superhero soundtracks. She discusses her creative evolution, the impact of gaming and film on her music, and the inspiration behind her latest sample pack, Cinematic Vocals 2. A testament to her determination, Tori’s work bridges the gap between childhood dreams and cinematic reality, inspiring creators everywhere.

Hi, my name is Tori Letzler, also known as Tiny Cat. I’m a vocalist, composer, electronic producer—basically, all things music and media. My path has been a mix of passion, persistence, and luck. One of the most significant milestones in my career was scoring my own Netflix series, In From the Cold. To have that kind of creative freedom at such a young age was a dream come true and a huge period of growth for me.

My earliest memory of film music was when my mom took me to see John Williams at Tanglewood. I was 10, a diehard Harry Potter fan, and obsessed with that soundtrack. Seeing him perform live made me fall in love with film music. I was initially on track to be a vocalist and even got accepted into conservatories for opera, but a songwriting program one summer changed everything. Eventually, an intro to film scoring class in college helped me realize this was where I belonged.

While interning in LA, I toured Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios. I stayed late and ended up meeting composer Geoff Zanelli, who was working on Pirates of the Caribbean at the time. I stayed in touch, asked about opportunities, and eventually got an internship there. I worked tirelessly—balancing shifts between studios, moving closer to the studio, and even wrapping cables just to make people remember me. My dedication paid off, and I got hired as an assistant, which opened doors to major opportunities like singing on superhero scores, including Thor: The Dark World and Batman v Superman.

Gaming has a fascinating relationship with music. Gamers consume soundtracks differently—they listen to them constantly, which creates an incredible connection between the audience and the music. I’ve worked on DLC for Fortnite, and the process of making music for games is so innovative. The gaming community has such a unique appreciation for music, and being part of that is exciting.

The barriers to entry for composers are definitely going down thanks to technology and platforms like Splice. Social media has made learning accessible, and now anyone can dive into composing with minimal gear. That said, composing still demands creativity, tight deadlines, and flexibility with budgets. Sample packs, like mine, help bridge the gap, providing organic and realistic sounds that would otherwise require live musicians.

I wanted to build on what people loved about the first pack while making something even bigger and better. Cinematic Vocals 2 is versatile—it works for beginners exploring DAWs for the first time and seasoned professionals looking for quick, high-quality samples. My goal is to create tools that inspire creativity across genres, whether you're scoring a blockbuster or making music for fun.

At the end of the day, it’s about creating something that moves people. Whether it’s a massive film score or a simple video, if it makes someone feel something, then I’ve succeeded. I remember being that kid inspired by John Williams, and I hope my work has that same impact on others.

Click the button below and check out the TORI LETZLER: Cinematic Vocals 2 sample pack today!

To hear more from Tori Letzler be sure to give her a listen on Spotify or Apple Music and give her a follow on Instagram (@toriletzler).