Biography
Hi, I’m William Sheppard — a music creator and software engineer based in New York City.
Music has been central to my life from an early age. I built a strong foundation in piano, earning recognition through the American College of Musicians’ National Guild Auditions. I later studied clarinet and saxophone in school bands, broadening my understanding of ensemble playing and musical expression. Growing up between the U.S. and Brazil, my influences evolved from samba and bossa nova to R&B and pop.
Alongside formal training, I developed a passion for technology, which led to my work as a software engineer specializing in React development. I have merged these interests by teaching myself music production in Logic Pro and Ableton, producing original electronic tracks that explore hybrid rhythms, experimental synthesis, and advanced mixing techniques.
I am applying to the MA Music Production program at UAL to deepen my production and audio engineering skills, collaborate with peers and faculty, and develop my artistic voice through formal study of music history, theory, and contemporary production techniques. Beginning January 2026, I will further develop my craft through courses at 343 Labs in NYC in Sound Design & Synthesis and Advanced Music Composition & Arrangement.
Listen up
Welcome! As a musician and self-taught producer, my goal is to blend the energy of contemporary music with the groove and musicality of live performance. My sound draws inspiration from artists such as Barry Can’t Swim, SG Lewis, Pharrell Williams, Marcos Valle, Mariah Carey, London Holmes, and Nile Rodgers—creators who fuse strong melodies, rhythm, and innovation. I’m also drawn to the textures and warmth of hardware instruments, particularly the Korg Triton, whose sounds continue to influence my productions. With a background in piano, clarinet, and saxophone and years of exploring production in Logic Pro, I’m passionate about crafting tracks that are both emotionally engaging and technically refined. This portfolio showcases a selection of my work, reflecting my journey and growth as an artist.
Piano Covers
This section features piano interpretations of two of my favorite songs. Through these arrangements, I explore melody, harmony, and expressive performance, highlighting my approach to translating full compositions into solo piano versions.
Mia and Sebastian’s Theme by Justin Hurwitz (La La Land)
2025 - “Push It”
Dance-disco–inspired production using a larger session with track automation, improved mixing, detailed layering, side-chaining, expanded plug-ins, and experimental vocal melodies.
River Flows in You by Yiruma
2023
2024
Original Production
This section highlights three original tracks from 2023–2025, tracing my growth as a producer. Each piece showcases different styles and techniques—from minimalist trap-R&B foundations to layered melodic electronics and disco-inspired dance production—reflecting my evolving sound design, mixing skills, and creative approach.
2023 - “Alone”
Trap-R&B production inspired by Summer Walker’s Over It; built on minimal layers with a clear, organized song structure and a moodier, evolving outro.
2025
More Demos
This section showcases additional demos from 2022–2025, documenting the progression of my production journey. From early experiments to more refined tracks, these works highlight my evolving approach to sound design, arrangement, and mixing.
2022
2024 - “Not Going Anywhere”
Melodic, moody electronic track blending live piano with MIDI layers. Features sampled and chopped vocals from Astrid Sonne’s Staying Here, showcasing live piano layering, sampling techniques, and hybrid live/DAW production.
Contact
Have a question or want to collaborate? Feel free to reach out — I’m happy to answer any inquiries about my work or discuss potential projects.
Email
williamsheppard804@gmail.com
Phone
+1 (804) 385-6127
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/wsheppard30