BIO
Sterling D. Tilley, III, a native of Springfield, Virginia, began his musical journey as a preschooler, quickly playing tunes by ear. And at seven years old he began formally studying the piano. Within the initial few weeks of lessons, he composed his first piece, "Bats in the Graveyard." From that moment on, Sterling knew that he wanted to be a composer. Sterling is an accomplished pianist who has performed in numerous competitions, theater productions and religious services. His most recognized composition, "The Rise of Black Diamond," was featured during the awards ceremony for the 2020 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) national Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) Competition. Sterling continues to write and compose music as a college junior at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) with Dr. Lawrence Dillon.
ORIGINAL WORKS
Original Works Premiered
2022 Spider-Man: Hunted Directed by Declan Duggan
Original Film Score for a Spider-Man Fan Film
2021 Silver Apples of the Moon Directed by Clara Hirata
Original Film Score for UNCSA, Department of Film, student
2021 A Letter to You Directed by Jillian Dengate
Original Film Score for UNCSA, Department of Film, student
2021 A Fleeting Moment Directed by Alejandro Lucas
Original Film Score for UNCSA, Department of Film, student
2021 Vine Street
Premiered at a UNCSA Performance Hour
2021 The Enchanted Traveler poem by Bliss Carman
Premiered at the UNCSA Composers Born in the 2000s Song Recital
2021 Cirque de Trahison
Premiered at a UNCSA Performance Hour
2020 A Hero’s Mind
Premiered at 2020 senior piano recital
2020 The Rise of Black Diamond
Premiered at the 2020 NAACP ACT-SO Competition Awards Ceremony
2019 For You
Premiered at the 2019 UNCSA Summer Composition and Music Technology Intensive
2023 Hive Directed by Vianelli C. DeLeon
Original Film Score for UNCSA, Department of Film, animation student. Admitted into
Raleigh Film and Art Festival and Real to Reel Film Festival.
2023 Halloween Hysteria Directed by Simon Smith
Original Film Score for a Halloween film inspired by Michael Jackson’s Thriller
2023 Bargain Mart Directed by Jamie Marano
Original Film Score for UNCSA, Department of Film, animation student
2023 Next Stop Directed by Caleb M. Jordan
Original Film Score for UNCSA, Department of Film, student
2023 Legend of Midnight Directed by William “Bill” Parham
Original Film Score for UNCSA, Department of Film, animation student
2023 Awakening
Premiered at UNCSA’s Photona 2023
2023 Here We Go!
Premiered at the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra: Orchestral Premieres
2022 Afterdark
Premiered at the UNCSA Watson Brass Faculty Recital
2022 Occultation Directed by Aly Castillo
Original Film Score for UNCSA, Department of Film, student
2022 Midnight Directed by Grant Kaufman
Original Film Score for UNCSA, Department of Film, student
EXPERIENCE
"Such beautiful music, masterful technique and true artistry!"
Sterling Tilley is a passionate and creative composer with a desire to specialize in film composition, song writing, arranging, orchestration, and production. Offers nine years of experience as a choral and orchestral accompanist with thirteen years of classical piano training and seven years of pipe organ training in both classical and sacred repertoire.
NEWS & EVENTS
♪ Stay tuned for future events
Afterdark (2022) performed by the Watson Brass
