Patrick Kirst

Patrick Kirst was born in Southwest Germany close to the French border where he grew up in a liberal artistic environment. He started playing the piano at the age of seven and soon discovered that music was his passion that he would pursue for many years to come. In high school he was the composer for the theater ensemble where he discovered his love for multimedia. His musical journey continued at the Music Conservatory in Karlsruhe, Germany. He was awarded a national grant to do research on the perception of film music. Meanwhile he collaborated with many different artists all over Europe. He was assistant music director and ballet accompanist at several theaters in Germany.

A full scholarship from Rotary International launched Kirst's professional career abroad. He attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston as well as New York University in New York City, where he received the 2002 NYU Graduate Award in Composition. He then went to Los Angeles to study film scoring at the University of Southern California under such distinguished composers as Academy Award nominee David Raksin, Golden Globe nominee Christopher Young, Jack Smalley and Grammy Award winner Joe Harnell. Kirst graduated in May 2003 and was given the "Harry Warren Award" in Film Scoring. Since graduation Kirst has composed music to over 40 short, feature, and documentary films.

Versatility has always been a key in Kirst's career. Being able to provide a personal answer to today's great variety of stylistic needs in film music makes him a unique and highly demanded artist.