In our very first season, Protege School set out with a bold mission: to teach composers how to turn their creativity into income by writing in-demand, licenseable music for film, TV, and advertising.
With award-winning mentors, a global network of contacts, and a curriculum focused on real-world results, this was more than just a music course – it was a career launchpad.
Career-focused music production school
Each track written during Season One had the potential to be pitched to our industry partners, opening the door to sync fees and royalties. Our students didn’t just learn theory – they built music catalogs, submitted work, and developed the mindset to succeed in a competitive industry.
Led by multi-award-winning tutors Richard Schrieber and Vikram Gudi, the program drew directly from their combined experience of hundreds of placements and over $1 million in music licensing revenue.
Build your catalog
We taught students how to build diverse, cinematic music catalogs that have impact, personality, and, most importantly, saleability. The goal wasn’t just to create beautiful tracks – it was to create usable tracks, the kind that editors and supervisors need for trailers, shows, and films.
Get your music heard
Protege Season One students gained direct access to our global sync network. They didn’t just write for practice; they wrote with placement in mind. Whether for a major trailer or a hit TV show, this was music designed to be heard by the people who could make a difference.
Achieve your goals
We helped our students develop the professional habits that working composers need: meeting deadlines, finishing tracks, revising based on feedback, and delivering music at broadcast quality, consistently.
Meet the founders: Rich and Vik
Protege School was founded by two industry giants:
Richard Schrieber
Credits: Pete’s Dragon, Mother!, Captain America: Civil War, Blade Runner 2049, Passengers
Richard Schrieber is a multi-award-winning composer whose journey into the world of trailer music is a testament to creative persistence and bold self-reinvention.
Like many musicians, his story began in a band – one that never found commercial success, but lit a spark that would lead him down an entirely new path. The big question soon followed: “How can I make a living making music?” For Rich, the answer came not through luck, but through grit and adaptability.
By 2010, Rich was writing for a production music library, unaware that “trailer music” was even a distinct genre. But a connection with the trailer music company Pusher changed everything. After they heard his hybrid rock compositions, he was invited to pitch for upcoming projects – including Men in Black 3 and The Avengers.
Though his cues weren’t selected for the main trailers, one made it into a 30-second segment of an official spot. That small win marked his entry into the industry – a first step into what would become a highly successful career.
Over the next decade, Rich built momentum through one pitch, one placement at a time – eventually amassing hundreds of trailer placements and earning eight major industry awards. Today, he writes full-time, leads global collaborations, and has built a life around his passion.
For Rich, composing was never just a job – it was a calling. And it’s this deep-rooted drive that still fuels his work today, as well as the mentorship he offers through Protege School.
Vikram Gudi
Credits (as publisher): Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Ad Astra, The Handmaid’s Tale, Avengers: Endgame, Game of Thrones, The Predator, X-Men: Apocalypse, Captain America: Civil War, Fantastic Four
Vikram Gudi is a renowned sync specialist, music entrepreneur, and founder of Elephant Music – one of the most forward-thinking music companies in the trailer world. His philosophy is disarmingly simple: “Make really interesting and powerful music, and it will get used.” But behind that idea is a story of calculated risk, fearless reinvention, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
After a promising promotion at Imagem Music, Vik made the bold decision to quit and launch Elephant Music – a boutique agency that started as a home for his friends’ bands, but quickly evolved into something far more influential.
Initially unsure of the direction, Vik experimented across musical niches, eventually finding a kindred creative spirit in Richard Schrieber. Their minimalist piano album Piano Works marked a turning point – critically praised and commercially effective, it led to a string of successful sequels and established Elephant’s signature sound.
That success soon led Vik into the trailer music world. Inspired by the growing demand for unique, emotionally charged scores, he set his sights on one dream project: Blade Runner 2049. His obsessive dedication paid off – not only did Elephant land the main trailer, they scored three TV spots as well. From there, the company’s reputation soared.
Today, Vik continues to push boundaries in the sync world, building long-term relationships with supervisors and editors, and constantly innovating with every new release. At Protege, he shares that same ambition – equipping the next generation of composers to rise in the industry on their own terms.
Our story
Protege was born from a simple vision: to help musicians learn, earn, and turn their passion into a fulfilling, stable career. Rich and Vik knew that great music alone wasn’t enough. Composers also need to know how to write the right music, how to get it into the right hands, and how to navigate a fast-moving industry.
Season One focused on equipping students with the skills they actually need to thrive: writing to brief, producing to professional standards, and understanding the sync market. Many of our students created their first pitchable music catalog during this program.
Why media composing?
Because it works. Sync music is one of the most viable ways to earn a living as a composer. Many in our network earn six-figure incomes working part-time from home. Season One proved that it’s not about expensive equipment or a fancy studio – it’s about knowing what to write, how to write it, and who to write it for.
The Protege Podcast
As part of our mission to give back to the community, we launched The Protege Podcast, where we share real stories from composers who built sustainable careers doing what they love. Many of them started right where our students were. We created it to inspire, motivate, and educate anyone dreaming of writing music for a living.
Become a Protege Insider
When you become a Protege Insider, you join a supportive community of like-minded composers. Our students shared their work, gave and received feedback, collaborated, and encouraged one another. It wasn’t just a course – it was a movement.
What people are saying
What’s next? Season Two?
Season One is complete. And while we’re proud of what we built, we’re even more excited about what comes next.
Protege is now part of the Higher Hz platform, where we’ll continue to support composers with industry-focused training and real-world opportunities.
We’re exploring the idea of Season Two – a new chapter with fresh content, new opportunities, and another chance to build the career you’ve been dreaming of. If you’re interested in joining the next cohort, we want to hear from you.
Join the waitlist
No pressure, no commitment. Just a signal that you might want in.