Ben Zebelman is an Emmy-winning, multi-nominated composer and multi-instrumentalist who has spent nearly three decades shaping the sonic landscape of film and television.

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A New York native, Ben began his rigorous training during high school at the Eastman School of Music before earning his Bachelor of Music at the Ithaca College School of Music. He cut his teeth in the high-pressure world of elite NYC commercial houses, mastering the fast-paced demands of orchestral scoring before founding his music production company, Octave Music, in 2008.

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From establishing the gritty, cigar-box-guitar signature sound for Discovery’s smash hit Moonshiners, to collaborating with Andres Levin on feature films for Sony Pictures, Lionsgate, and Pantelion (Spare Parts, ¿Y cómo es él?), Ben’s work spans genres and major studios alike. Most recently, his music has driven high-stakes documentaries for Nat Geo and Disney, including the Explorer series (The Last Tepui, Lost on Everest).

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Ben’s industry accolades include nine SESAC Film & TV Awards alongside AICP and London International Advertising honors. Already an Emmy winner, his 2026 season is highlighted by a brand new Emmy nomination recognizing his musical score for The Last Rhinos: A New Hope.

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Whether scoring an orchestral feature or an elite expedition documentary, Ben remains driven by a singular goal: creating an entirely original, definitive soundtrack that proves to directors and showrunners they hired the right person.