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Growing up in Penang, Jolene Khor often heard the same warning many young creatives do: Music is not a stable career. It won’t put food on the table. It’s not a “real job.”
But rather than walk away from her passion, she leaned in, guided by the quiet confidence of someone who knew she had more to give.
Today, Jolene is a composer based in London who writes music for media, orchestrates and conducts, teaches music, and performs as a pianist.
Her compositions have been performed by world-class orchestras and featured in major productions but the journey getting there was far from predictable.
A musical start at age 3
“I started music at the age of 3 at the Yamaha Music School,” Jolene shared. “They had a music course for young children and parents which kickstarted my journey.”
Her parents, who loved music but never had the chance to pursue it themselves, wanted their children to have that opportunity. Jolene began composing at 10, and continued learning through both Yamaha and ABRSM programmes.
Choosing music over convention
As Jolene grew up and began her academic pursuits, she initially began what many would consider a conventional career path.
Originally I was supposed to be studying A-Levels and get a science degree, but it was clear I wasn’t truly happy,” she said.
Recognising this, her parents encouraged her to pursue music more seriously. They helped her find a teacher, Mr Fong from Hits Recording Studio to guide her in learning Logic Pro, a key step in developing her skills. Eventually, they supported her decision to study in Taiwan and later in the UK.
“I’m deeply grateful not only for their love and support, but also for their happiness in seeing me pursue a path that truly fulfills me, even though music is often seen as an uncertain or unconventional career. Their belief in me, despite what others might think, means everything.”
Facing the stereotypes
Jolene admitted that in Malaysia, it wasn’t unusual for people to question if pursuing music is a waste of time or money as many assume it’s not a real job or that it won’t lead to a stable future.
Despite the doubts, she remained grounded in the purpose behind her path.
“I know that music is not an easy career, but I also know I am giving it my all. I am building something meaningful, and I want to prove, not just to others, but to myself that it’s possible to succeed in a different way.”
When self-doubt creeps in
Like many creatives, Jolene isn’t immune to imposter syndrome.
There are moments, whether I was struggling in college, hitting a roadblock in my career, or even when I am doing well and receiving recognition, when self-doubt starts to creep in. Questions like ‘Am I really good enough?’ or ‘Do I even deserve this?’ begin to invade my headspace.”
But in those moments, she turns inward and backward to stay grounded.
“When I take a moment to reflect on how far I have come and everything I have achieved, it helps quiet those thoughts,” she shared.
Making it to the Royal College of Music
In 2019, Jolene applied to the Royal College of Music (RCM) while juggling her final recital in Taiwan. “It was a hectic year,” she said, “but it was rewarding nonetheless.”
In November, she received the email that she had passed the first stage of the application process. “I passed that with flying colours and began my studies in 2020. It was a joyful moment for me and for my family, as I always wanted to travel to the UK.”
However, Covid-19 came into the picture in 2020, making what was already a stressful process even more mentally draining.
“It all happened very quickly and was incredibly hectic. Preparing my visa, completing medical checkups, and tying up loose ends became even more stressful because of Covid-19.
“My parents had hoped to travel with me to the UK, but due to travel restrictions at the time, only students were allowed to enter the country. It ended up being a series of rushed and emotional goodbyes,” she reminisced.
While there was excitement about what was ahead, Jolene described the experience as a “mix of hope, anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty.”
Being seen and valued or tokenised?
Jolene has worked with many international platforms that advocate for women and people of colour in music. While grateful for the opportunities, she acknowledges a complicated dynamic.
I know that sometimes, people on the outside might question whether opportunities come from merit or identity,” she said.
“But for me, I have always strived to let my work speak for itself. I see my identity as part of who I am, not the only reason I am in the room.”
Being overseas for so long has also occasionally made Jolene feel caught between places.
“I occasionally feel slightly disconnected. I don’t recognise places back in Penang as it has changed quite a lot. But I do miss the food, culture and loved ones, and that keeps my connection to my roots grounded.”
In the UK, she has found people welcoming and curious about her heritage. “While there have been moments of feeling different, I think those differences have actually opened up opportunities for connection and learning on both sides.”
A sound of her own
Jolene describes her signature sound as a fusion of “melodic and whimsical melodies inspired by Studio Ghibli, Japanese video game music mixed with Western orchestration and compositional techniques.”
Many have told her that her music reminds them of Final Fantasy or The Legend of Zelda, which she finds deeply affirming.
“Usually I just start by improvising and doodling on the piano, and I record all of the music I played. It starts off with melody and harmony, then expands to adding instruments and orchestrating the music. I think it is quite instinctive for me.
“When I get stuck, I turn to visual art to explore moods and unlock my creativity.”
The Adelphi Theatre and the roar of the crowd
Jolene’s composition, ‘Altheya: The Dragon Empire | Main Theme’, which was written for High Rollers DnD, was performed at the iconic Adelphi Theatre before a large crowd.
“Fans were cheering and I never had such a huge spectacle of people cheering for me and my music.
“The piece was also recorded by the world-renowned Budapest Scoring Orchestra, known for working on multiple Netflix series and major games.
Jolene was also invited to conduct the Netflix Queen Charlotte Orchestra in Covent Garden, where she stood on a podium surrounded by a huge crowd and even had her own security entourage.
“We had 13 songs to go through in 6 to 8 hours, and the performance was the next day. It was a lot to unpack but it was indeed a one-of-a-kind experience.”
What people get wrong about composers
“People often think being a composer means I sing or perform in concerts,” said Jolene. “But composing is a very different part of the music world.”
She also shared that inspiration doesn’t always strike on cue.
In truth, it’s a lot of hard work, discipline, and problem-solving. Sometimes you are writing to very specific briefs, tight deadlines, or emotional cues. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s incredibly rewarding.”
While Malaysia has produced many successful composers, Jolene believes they don’t always get the same level of celebration as mainstream pop artists.
She proudly named several fellow Malaysians working in music internationally, including Joy Ngiaw, Jaron Khor, Yong Tan, Wesley WKL, Gabriel de Leon, and Vince de Leon.
“I believe if we start spotlighting these composers more, sharing their stories and the global impact of their music, it would help shift perceptions.”
What her younger self would say
“I think she would be surprised that I am writing music for films, games, animation and such,” Jolene said.
“She would be happy to know that I’m talking to many of the composers she really liked growing up. Through my podcast, I’ve been able to interview people like Nicholas Hooper, Kevin, Sean and Deana Kiner, Christopher Tin, Borislav Slavov and many more.
Jolene added that she hopes her legacy would be one of a Malaysian composer, woman, and artist who was able to weave real emotion into music, creating melodies that stay with people long after the piece ends.
“Beyond that, I hope to show that you don’t need to fit a specific mold to succeed in music. You can be Southeast Asian, a woman, quiet or unconventional, and still write music that speaks volumes.”
“One day, I would love to give back by mentoring young composers, especially those from underrepresented communities, and be the person I wished I had when I was starting out.”
Outside of composing for screen and stage, Jolene also releases original music. Her latest single is set to drop next week.
You can listen to it here.
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