Michael Aaron Ulmer
Songwriter & Visual Storyteller
Michael is a world-renowned conceptual artist and director whose work explores the depths of the human condition. With a BA in Theatre from Doane University, Michael’s career has spanned from award-winning film direction for global brands like National Geographic, WD-40, and Adobe, to building a massive digital footprint of over 280,000 followers.
His ability to distill complex narratives into a single frame or a viral moment—including videos with over 25 million views—has earned him features on Sony, Buzzfeed, and Unilad. As one half of Ulmer & Kashoid, Michael brings this same “raw honesty” and visual intentionality to songwriting, ensuring every lyric and melody serves the larger cinematic arc.
Denis Kashoid
Composer & Musical Director
A graduate of the prestigious Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Denis brings a Master’s level of classical orchestration and precision to the duo. With over 15 years of experience as a conductor and educator, his technical mastery provides the musical foundation for every Ulmer & Kashoid project.
His extensive scoring credits include feature films “jOBS” and “I Am Gabriel” (dir. Mike Norris), as well as the Dallas International Film Festival selection “Raspberry Jam” starring Andrew Sensenig. By blending rigorous conservatory training with a modern cinematic palette, Denis ensures that every song is built with world-class musicality and a deep understanding of how to support a narrative.
Our
Approach
Script-First:
We don’t just write songs; we build the musical DNA of a story. Our process is rooted in a “Script-First” mentality, where we dive deep into the text to ensure every melody and lyric serves the character’s arc and drives the plot forward. Having successfully adapted a stage play into a full-scale original musical, we are experts at translating written dialogue and subtext into a cohesive musical world.
Our Sound Palette: Conservatory Meets Contemporary:
Our unique sound lives at the intersection of Denis’s elite classical orchestration and Michael’s modern, narrative-driven conceptual art. We blend cinematic scale with intimate, raw vulnerability to create a “Modern Narrative” style that feels both timeless and fresh—perfectly suited for the emotional demands of modern animation and feature film.
Momentum & Speed:
We pride ourselves on being a high-output, low-ego creative team. We work with uncommon speed and view revisions as a vital part of the storytelling process, allowing us to pivot quickly and fine-tune every note to a director’s specific vision.
Current Focus:
The Therapy Sessions: A narrative-driven song cycle exploring the human condition.
Untitled Musical Adaptation: An original musical reimagined from a stage play.
Active Pursuit: We are currently seeking collaboration with directors and studios on an original animated feature.
