Film & Media Composer.
Sonic Storyteller.
Credits.
Listen.
Sonic storyteller…
Telling stories through music.
Abigail Neale is a SOCAN Award-winning media composer based in Toronto known for her emotionally evocative scores for TV and film and her extensive musical pedigree as a jazz saxophone player.
Abigail scored “They Can’t. So I Must.”, a hard-hitting documentary on Canadian racism and police abuse featuring Toronto Argonauts football star Orlando Bowen, which won Best Documentary Short Film at the Montreal International Black Film Festival, and 1st Place in TVO Today’s Short Doc Contest. Abigail created a playful and witty score to the comedy short “Woke”, propelling it to the Best Comedy award at the CaribbeanTales Festival. For the drama-fantasy “Jeffrey”, winner of four awards including “Best Picture” and nominated for “Best Sound” at the Run N Gun Festival, Abigail contributed an expressive textural score using manipulated saxophone and flute sounds. Most recently, she has written additional music for the episode "Butt Seriously" on CBC's "The Nature of Things".
Abigail created commercial music for international and local companies including Leica Camera, Yazdani Aesthetics, and Prospect Fighting Championships. An experienced collaborator, she provides musical support to notable Canadian composers including Spencer Creaghan, Deanna Choi, and Bryan Bindon, contributing to major network TV series including “Slasher: Ripper” (Shudder), “Surreal Estate” (Syfy), and “The Nature of Things” (CBC).
Abigail’s first musical hero was Lisa Simpson from “The Simpsons” animated series, inspiring her to pick up the saxophone in elementary school and begin a life dedicated to music. She went on to study jazz saxophone and classical flute/clarinet at Toronto’s Humber College and was an active performer in the city’s jazz, pop, classical, and musical theatre scenes, and released an album “Dreamscape” of her own instrumental jazz compositions. She then completed the Music Scoring for Screen and Stage program at Sheridan College to launch her film scoring career.
WATCH.
testimonials.
“In working on multiple projects together, Abigail has been able to amplify our films by finding unique ways to tell the themes and stories of characters. It is my honest belief that the reason our film "They Can't. So I Must." was able to achieve so many accolades, was unmistakably linked to the musical composition. Abigail loves what she does as a composer, working with her is an easy way to ensure that the music of your project will be creative and impactful. I personally will continue to work with Abigail in the future. “
Dara Eshaghian
“Abigail Neale is a rising star composer and musician! She brings dedication to her craft that is both inspiring and infectious. As a composer, her jazz and classical background equip her the ability to adapt into the emotional necessities of the story; as a musician she is a quick study and expertly captures the heart of the music through her performance, bringing a new joy to the music. In our collaborations, I have a tendency to throw Abigail into the deep end of tricky musical challenges of which she never ceases to find clever solutions for. Abigail is a wonderful collaborator, composer, musician, and friend. I’d work with her again in an instant!”
Spencer Creaghan
"As a director, working with Abigail has been like a dream. She brings imaginative ideas to her work that always heightens whatever story I'm trying to tell. Her range is incredible, and her skill at understanding the correct feeling for a moment and translating it into music is undeniable. When she scores a piece it doesn't just feel true, it feels inseparable. I recommend Abigail for anyone looking for a brilliant composer."
James Cooper
“It never felt like a leap of faith working with Abigail. I knew I was in good hands immediately when we first met and I witnessed her genuine passion and enthusiasm. Together we came up with a concept and then Abigail worked her magic and delivered a stunning original soundtrack perfectly tailored to my film and it was better than I even dared hope.”
Ian Wright
