Music Behind the Magic

Episoade

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  Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz and the Emotional Power of Disney Medleys 10.07.2026 1h 7min

  It’s one thing to love Disney songs. It’s another to be able to play Disney songs. But it’s a whole other level to write and perform original music about Disney songs, drawing upon the fandom’s collective passion for history and nostalgia and providing a musical outlet for those emotions. Today we are joined by an incredibly talented singer, musician, and voice actor, Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz, who has built a substantial online and in-person following by writing clever and innovative hyper-niche medleys of Disney songs, and original songs about the movies, TV shows, and park attractions as well. We talk about Noah’s background, his career at Disney, and his calling as a writer/performer. Please check out Noah's incredible work at https://www.noahsundaylefkowitz.com/, and on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok @noahsundaylefkowitz
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  Mark Mancina and the Music of Moana 26.06.2026 40min

  It’s a big summer for Disney in the movie theaters. The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first Star Wars movie in 7 years, Toy Story 5 is out and is already breaking records, and the live-action reimagining of Moana is coming out on July 10th, just in time to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the animated film’s original release. The movie has become an instant classic due to the depth and complexity of the characters, the incredible animation, the star power of Dwayne Johnson, and, of course…the music. With songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina (who also wrote the score), the music transported audiences to the South Pacific with a focus on authenticity and storytelling. Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Mark Mancina to discuss his work on both the animated film as well as the upcoming live action release, as well as his career collaborations with not only Lin Manuel-Miranda, but Phil Collins, Elton John, and…Eddie Van Halen.Moana comes out on July 10th, and the soundtrack is available for purchase and streaming on June 26thYou can find Mark at www.mark-mancina.com, on Instagram @markamancina, and on YouTube @markmancinamusic.
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  Legendary Composer Bruce Broughton Returns to Discuss Soarin' Across America 08.06.2026 58min

  If you’ve been paying attention, you may have noticed that there is a LOT going on around the Disney parks. There are re-imaginings and updates to existing rides, and lots of news coming out about upcoming rides as well. This year, we’ve already seen the re-opening of the newly redesigned Rock n Roller Coaster starring the Muppets and news of a significant overhaul of Carousel of Progress, which is creating a lot of…dialogue amongst the Disney interwebs. But another, very significant update is now open. I’m talking about the new Soarin’ Across America, an update to the classic ride to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday (or in technical terms, our semi quincentennial). The ride, which now features scenes from across America’s most iconic sights and landmarks, has a newly updated score by legendary composer Bruce Broughton. Bruce rejoins the podcast to discuss his work on the project, as well as other Disney and non-Disney music he has been working on. You can check out all of Bruce's amazing work at www.brucebroughton.com
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  The Magic of Live Disney Musical Entertainment with Michael Mastroianni 26.05.2026 1h 2min

  On the podcast, we talk a lot about the emotional power that Disney music is able to convey, and most of the time, we experience that power passively—on a screen or through our headphones. But the real magic of Disney music happens when you are able to experience it live, and throughout the Disney parks there are exceptional musicians who play that music directly—and unfiltered—to the guests and create a stunning connection. Today, we are joined by one of those musicians, Michael Mastroianni, who you have likely seen at EPCOT, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review, or at the River Roost Lounge. Michael talks about his musical background and his experience creating live musical magic at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Cruise Line.Please follow Michael at www.mastromjm.com and on all socials @mastromjm.
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  A Conversation with Pixar Creative Veteran James Ford Murphy and the Music of "Lava" 10.05.2026 56min

  This year commemorates the 40th anniversary of Pixar. Pixar was officially founded as an independent company on February 3, 1986, when Steve Jobs purchased the Computer Graphics Division from Lucasfilm. Since that time, Pixar has gone on revolutionize the industry, creating technologically groundbreaking and emotionally resonant masterpieces, including 20 short films and 30 feature films. But, what is it about Pixar that allows it to continually produce such unique and compelling stories?Today, continuing with our Pixar celebration, we are very fortunate to be joined by James Ford Murphy, who has been with Pixar for 30 of the company’s 40 years of existence, working as an animator and a director. He is also the creator, director, and composer of the Pixar short film “Lava,” which is one of my votes for the Top 10 Pixar songs of all time. Jim joins us to discuss his career, his work at Pixar, the Pixar culture, and of course, the story behind one of our favorite Pixar songs.
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  Haim Mazar and the Music of Disney's Versa 28.04.2026 56min

  The amazing thing about Disney movies is how they are able to make us feel so many emotions through the use of unparalleled storytelling. With some clever or poignant dialogue, incredible voice acting and music in the background, we can feel joy, wonder, or even sadness. But what happens when someone wants to convey some of the most complex and personal of emotions—love, loss, grieving, acceptance, and healing--without any dialogue at all? In the short film Versa (which is now streaming on Disney+), Director Malcon Pierce shares his extremely personal voyage through the story of a young couple looking to start a family that experiences that gamut of emotions as they embark on an ethereal and imaginative cosmic dance of life. In the short, because there is no dialogue, music is the guiding force, along with breathtaking animation, that creates a truly exceptional visual and auditory experience. And the composer of the music for Versa is our friend Haim Mazar, who returns to the podcast to discuss his work on Versa, as well as some other amazing Disney park projects that he has contributed to since he last joined us.You can follow Haim at HaimMazar.com and on Instagram @haimmazarmusic. You can watch Versa on Disney+ and listen to the soundtrack on your favorite streaming service. And Scary Movie 6 opens on June 5th.
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  Composer Tyler Koontz and Creating Disney Parks Music Around the World 11.04.2026 43min

  When we visit the Disney parks, there is always music around to guide us. There is the background music in each land that sets the theme, and the attraction music that helps narrate the story of the ride. But the music in the parades, shows, and nighttime entertainment spectaculars is there to do more than guide you—it is there to make you feel. To give you that beautifully bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, the lump in the throat as you reflect on your own Disney memories, and the huge smile when the music just makes you want to move. Today we are joined by Tyler Koontz, an extremely talented composer who has created some of that music for those incredible shows around the world—from Disneyland Paris to Tokyo DisneySea. In fact, he has written the theme song for Tokyo DisneySea 25th Sparkling Jubilee, called “Come Join the Jubilee.” Tyler talks about his musical journey and how he has created the type of music that makes us feel all those emotions in the Parks.Check out Tyler at tylerkoontzmusic.com and on Instagram @trkstudios. And stream "Come Join the Jubilee" on all music platforms.
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  The Top 10 Pixar Songs with Tim Foster 15.03.2026 2h 19min

  With all of the Disney news that has come out in the past few months, it might have gone a bit under the radar that Pixar recently celebrated its 40th anniversary as a company. And Pixar in particular has established an incredible musical legacy, not in the traditional “Disney Musical” sense, but by using compositions and songs to drive the narrative of its films and maximize their emotional impact. So, what better way to celebrate Pixar’s 40th than with a discussion of the best Pixar music? And who better to do that with than our pal Tim Foster for Celebrations Press, who shares my love—and emotional fragility—for Pixar movies and songs. So, in keeping with Tim’s patented Top 10 list format, we present to you our Top 10 Pixar songs.Please check out Tim, Celebrations Magazine, and incredible keepsake books at celebrationspress.com
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  The Psychology of Disney Music with John Powell 23.02.2026 50min

  We all know how Disney music makes us feel, but there is another, underlying question—why does it make us feel this way? Today we are joined by John Powell, who has written two books on the psychology of music, to help us understand the power of music and musical techniques that create such powerful emotional and physical responses in us.You can find John's books on Amazon here and here. And check out the classical guitar piece he wrote, performed by Alexandra Whittingham on YouTube: https://youtu.be/N-7ohzLQKg4?si=psJFdruumcQnHcpD Please follow us on IG @musicbehindthemagic, join of FB group at facebook.com/groups/musicbehindthemagic, or on YouTube at @musicbehindthemagic.
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  A Conversation with Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award Winner Marc Shaiman 26.01.2026 50min

  As we celebrate the 50th episode of the podcast, what better way to celebrate than with an incredible, legendary guest. Marc Shaiman, who has composed music for everything from Hairspray to City Slickers and from South Park to Mary Poppins Returns, has just published his memoir: Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, and he shares so many amazing stories, and even plays some of his work for us.You can buy Never Mind the Happy on Amazon and bookstores nationwide. You can also follow Marc at marcshaiman.com and on Instagram @marc_shaiman.
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  Disney Preview 2026: Music in the Movies, TV Shows, and the Parks 12.01.2026 42min

  Happy New Year! 2026 is shaping up to be a very eventful year for Disney, with lots of huge movies, new and returning TV shows, and theme park updates. Join me as I preview all these incredible upcoming releases, and the music behind all of them. What are you most excited about?Please like and follow this podcast, and leave a good review if you think I deserve it. I would love to hear from you--reach out to me via email, on IG @musicbehindthemagic, or in our awesome FB community.
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  A Conversation with Simon Franglen, Composer of Avatar: Fire and Ash 18.12.2025 31min

  The Avatar films have changed the way we experience the movies. They have been groundbreaking in almost every way--technologically, narratively, and sonically—not only transporting us to a new world, but making it so immersive that we are actually a part of it. But it is not only immersive--the world of Pandora has been created and rooted in so much detail and mythology that, paired with all the incredible technology created for the films, it is deeply authentic and as real as any planet in the universe. But it isn’t just the visuals that make the story so compelling, it is the incredible use of music and themes that really draw the audience into the story. And today we are so lucky to be joined by the composer of the newest Avatar film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Simon Franglen. Simon talks about the work that went behind making an epic 3 hour score, which included a deep collaboration with James Cameron, that intricate emotional theming, and even the need to create completely new musical instruments. You can listen to Simon’s amazing soundtrack to Avatar: Fire and Ash now on all streaming services, and the film comes out this Friday, December 19th.You can follow Simon at simonfranglen.com and on Instagram @simonfranglen
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  Tim Foster, "Spaceship Earth: The Definitive History," AND Disney Holiday Music! 16.12.2025 1h 31min

  Of all the iconic attractions at the Disney parks around the world, one of—if not the—most recognizable is Spaceship Earth at Epcot. A marvel of both engineering and imagineering, the attraction takes us on a voyage of mankind’s technological innovations across the centuries, with so many iconic moments and smells (if you know, you know). There are so many details associated with the attraction around its history, construction and storytelling that it could fit in a book. That’s a great idea, right! Fortunately, our pal Tim Foster of Celebrations Press has done just that—another terrific book called Spaceship Earth: The Definitive History. Tim tells us all about awesome facts about the ride and his favorite parts, as well as some fun discussions/debates around changes to the attraction over the years. And since it’s the holidays, we also dive into a fun musical scavenger hunt to find our favorite holiday songs in the parks, as well as our favorite Disney holiday songs in general. You can find Tim, all his great books, and Celebrations magazine at celebrationspress.com. And if you are trying to get the Spaceship Earth book in time for the holidays, email him at subscriptions@celebrationspress.com and he will do everything he can to make that happen.
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  J.B. Kaufman and "Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Walt Disney's Fantasia" 08.12.2025 1h 20min

  When you think of all the iconic imagery associated with Disney, lots of things immediately come to mind—Cinderella Castle, Tinkerbell, Spaceship Earth…and Mickey’s Sorcerer’s hat from The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. That legendary vignette is the most famous part of Fantasia, the groundbreaking film that married music and animation in ways that were so far ahead of its time conceptually, musically, and technically. This year marks the 85th anniversary of Fantasia, and to commemorate the film’s milestone, a new book has just come out, “Worlds to Conquer: The Art and Making of Walt Disney’s Fantasia” by noted film historian J.B. Kaufman. We are joined today by J.B. to learn more about the story of how Fantasia came to be, and the critical importance that music played in its creation.Please follow J.B. at jbkaufman.com and find his book on Amazon and all other booksellers.
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  Celebrating Disney Legends with Jamie Hecker 24.11.2025 1h 22min

  Baseball has its Hall of Fame. So does Rock and Roll music. Hollywood has a Walk of Fame, and there are numerous other Halls, Walls, and Walks that recognize contributions to everything from sports and entertainment to business and science. So, how does Disney celebrate those who have made groundbreaking contributions to the company? It’s through the recognition of Disney Legends. Disney Legends is a Hall of Fame award that is awarded by The Walt Disney Company to individuals who "[have] made a significant impact on the Disney legacy." The honor was established in 1987, and was traditionally awarded annually during a special private ceremony. Since 2009, it has been awarded on a biennial basis during Disney's D23 Expo and there are currently 318 individuals who have received that recognition.With all the incredible contributions that Disney has made to the world, it is no small feat to qualify and be recognized as a Disney Legend. And each recipient has a rich story that has made an impact to the company, culture, and our lives. That is where today’s guest comes in. Jamie Hecker is an author and friend who has written several books about Disney, including two volumes about these icons: Disney Legends: Makers of Magic Volume 1, and the recently released Volume 2.  Jamie joins us today to give some history and context around the award, as well as discuss those Legends who have impacted Disney music. Please follow Jamie at jamieheckerwriter.com and you can also find his books on Amazon
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  Todd James Pierce and Making Mary Poppins 14.11.2025 1h 4min

  One of the most beloved and cherished Disney movies is the classic Mary Poppins. It has amazed and delighted audiences for 61 years through its technical innovation, incredible set pieces, and of course, its iconic music by the legendary Sherman Brothers. Almost all of us love the movie and many of us know at least some of the background of the film through the movie Saving Mr. Banks, which shed some light on how Walt Disney made the film, how the Sherman Brothers wrote the music, and the interplay with the notoriously difficult author, PL Travers. But there is so much more history and context behind the film, with so much previously unknown information and details about the prominent role that the Sherman Brothers played in bringing it to life. All these stories are revealed in the new book “Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film” by Todd James Pierce. Todd joins us today to discuss the book and shares some of those stories with us. You can find Todd at www.toddjamespierce.com and order the book on Amazon here.
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  A Conversation with John Musker: Movies and Music from the Disney Renaissance to the Revival 26.10.2025 1h 34min

  Disney, as we know it today, was shaped by the success and legacy of The Little Mermaid, which ushered in the Disney Renaissance, marrying Broadway musical sensibilities with character driven stories that emotionally bonded the audience to the movies through now-iconic songs. Today we are joined by the co-writer and director of the Little Mermaid, John Musker, who also wrote and directed so many other legendary movies including Aladdin, Hercules, The Great Mouse Detective, Treasure Planet, The Princess and the Frog, and Moana along with his long-time collaborator Ron Clement. Looking through this filmography, I am struck by the fact that John was able to create classic movies through three different eras, keeping music at the forefront while creating timeless stories with humor, adventure, and heart. John shares his amazing career with us while providing behind-the-scenes insight into the movies that we all know and love.
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  Zain Effendi and the Music of Test Track 01.10.2025 1h 2min

  One of the most popular attractions in Walt Disney World is Test Track in EPCOT. It has just reopened after a lengthy reimagining with a new storyline, and new music. Today we are very lucky to be joined by the extremely talented Zain Effendi, who composed all the music for the new version of that attraction. Zain is also no stranger to working for the Disney parks, as he also composed music for the Galactic Starcruiser and for Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge. If you haven’t heard the music for Test Track, it is available on your favorite streaming service and it is epic, wonderous, and uplifting in the best Disney tradition. And don’t take my word for it, the piece “Opening” from EPCOT’s Test Track on Walt Disney Records has been submitted for consideration in the Best Instrumental Composition category for the Grammy Awards, and I am so excited to share our conversation with you.About Zain:Zain Effendi is an award-winning American composer known for his work in film, television, video games, and theme parks. After studying composition and film scoring at both The Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, his career ignited when Hans Zimmer invited him to join Remote Control Productions, where he contributed to blockbuster scores including Pirates of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda.Since launching his solo career, Zain has scored projects for Disney, Sony, Warner Brothers, Bad Robot, and more-earning honors such as Best Composer at the Hollywood Music & Media Awards, Multiple Telly Awards, an HMMA win for Best Live Concert (over Jennifer Lopez) and multiple World Entertainment Awards.Most recently, Zain composed Disney’s 70-minute original score for EPCOT’s re-imagined Test Track attraction, a symphonic-electronic epic that defines a new era of theme-park music. Test Track’s ‘Opening’ is currently in contention for the GRAMMYs® in the category of Best Instrumental Composition. His music also resonates across Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney’s Starcruiser Hotel, and Shanghai Disneyland’s Adventure in Rhythm.With a career bridging Hollywood blockbusters, award-winning concerts, and groundbreaking work for Disney Imagineering, Zain is redefining the possibilities of modern orchestral music.Please follow Zain at www.zaineffendi.com and on Instagram @zaineffendi. You can also stream EPCOT: Test Track (Original Soundtrack) on your favorite streaming service.
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  Musician, Composer, and Producer Tim Heintz and Creating Disney's Nighttime Spectaculars 22.09.2025 1h 4min

  For many of us, there is nothing quite like experiencing a Disney nighttime parade or fireworks spectacular at the parks. The magic, the wonder, and the emotions that those shows evoke are near and dear to our hearts, and are the basis for so many incredible memories. And, of course, one of the main drivers of those emotional moments is the music that guides and elevates the story. And because the end result is so incredible, it’s easy to overlook how much work goes into tailoring and arranging those iconic songs to fit the timing, pace, and cadence of those shows. Today we are very lucky to be joined by Tim Heintz, an incredible musician and the music director for many of Disney’s nighttime spectaculars, both classic and new. Tim tells us about his musical journey and his work for Disney, Universal, and more. You can learn more about Tim and his work at www.timheintz.com
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  Composer, Arranger, and Orchestrator Dave Metzger and His Work on Iconic Disney Music 08.09.2025 1h 43min

  When you think about the music that we hear in Disney films, it’s easy to say, Oh, Alan Menken wrote that song, or Hanz Zimmer composed that score. And of course, those legendary songwriters and composers are responsible for crafting the melody, vision, and structure of the amazing music we know and love. But, beyond that, within film music there are musicians that work with those composers and songwriters to provide the depth, emotional resonance, and instrumentation that truly bring those songs to life—the orchestrators and arrangers. Today, we are incredibly fortunate to be joined by someone that has done it all—composed, arranged, and orchestrated many of the most popular and beloved songs and scores in Disney history, from Frozen to Moana  and from The Lion King on Broadway to Mufasa: The Lion King on the big screen, Dave Metzger. Dave tells us all about his musical journey and how he contributed to the musical magic of so many movies we love.You can learn more about Dave and follow him at www.davemetzgermusic.com