From Berklee Valencia to Tokyo: Composing for Global Anime Hits

Beau Damian Schaepman MM ’22 is a Dutch composer based in Tokyo, working across anime, film, and video game music. Specializing in cinematic orchestration and modern electronic production, his work has reached global audiences through some of the world’s most influential entertainment franchises. As an active figure in Japan’s top-tier music industry, Schaepman’s recent credits include music for the game Teamfight Tactics, a spin-off of the global phenomenon League of Legends. He has also contributed to internationally acclaimed anime such as Tower of God Season 2 (Crunchyroll) and Netflix’s Blue Box, alongside official Pokémon productions.

Before arriving at Berklee Valencia, Schaepman was rooted in electronic music and DJ culture. His desire to transition into film, TV, and game scoring led him to Berklee Valencia, where he pursued a Master of Muisc in Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games.  

“I wanted to move from DJing into storytelling through music,” he explains. “At Berklee, I had to build that foundation from scratch.” Schaepman found an environment that challenged him to evolve both creatively and professionally at Berklee Valencia. Because he came from a production background, the program pushed him to step outside his comfort zone by learning orchestration, working with live instruments, and composing for visual media for the first time. 

Surrounded by highly skilled musicians, many with classical training, Schaepman was motivated to elevate his craft. At the same time, the nature of the one-year program taught him discipline, resilience, and the importance of balancing artistic growth with real-world preparation—lessons that proved essential as he began building an international career even before graduating.

While still studying, he began collaborating remotely with Japanese creatives. Those relationships soon turned into full-time work opportunities. “Japan already blends orchestral and electronic music in a very natural way,” he says. “With my background in dance music and my interest in orchestration, it felt like the perfect match.” 

Shortly after graduating in 2022, Schaepman relocated to Japan. Breaking into a new market wasn’t about immediate success; it was about community. He found that the Berklee experience created instant common ground. “It’s not about making connections to get something,” he explains. “It’s about building trust. Helping others. Being part of a community. This is what Berklee Valencia really taught me.” 

Working in Japan has also reshaped Schaepman’s creative process. Unlike Western productions, where composers often score directly to picture, Japanese projects—particularly in anime—can be more abstract. Composers might receive minimal direction, sometimes as little as a single word like “chaos,” and are expected to interpret the emotional tone independently.

“It’s very imagination-driven. You have to read between the lines and build the world yourself," Schaepman says. Yet he approaches his craft as a problem solver. “Whatever the project needs, I adapt.”  

Working on large-scale, internationally recognized projects like Pokémon and other major anime and game franchises has given Schaepman a clear perspective on balancing creative expression with client expectations. In these environments, he explains, a composer must serve the vision of directors and producers while maintaining a distinct musical identity. 

Some projects require precise direction and restraint to align closely with the narrative and emotional intent, while others actively encourage experimentation and pushing musical boundaries. In those cases, he fully explores his skill set by blending orchestration, electronic elements, and cinematic textures to elevate the storytelling. 

Schaepman continues to expand his portfolio across animation and television, reinforcing his presence in Japan’s screen music industry. Most recently, he composed part of the score for the Japanese drama Borderless, a police suspense series currently airing.

He is also working on a new animation project set in Andalusia, drawing on both Andalusian and Moroccan cultural influences. With a trailer expected soon, the project notably features the Alhambra as a central thematic and visual element, marking a meaningful connection to his time in Spain.

For aspiring composers looking to build international careers, Schaepman emphasizes one key idea: Culture comes first. “Music is always tied to culture,” he says. “If you want to work in a different country, you need to understand how people think, how they feel, and how that translates directly into the music.” 

He also encourages young creatives to identify what makes them unique. “You have to find what you bring that others don’t,” he says. “That’s what sets you apart.”