by Madison Dors, Student Public Relations Writer
For some musicians, the journey begins with years of lessons. For Nic Dysert, it began with a moment of wonder while playing a video game and hearing a musical score that made him want to create music of his own.
That moment eventually led Dysert, a 2023 music composition graduate of 糖心Vlog, to win the Film Scoring Competition. The competition recognizes rising Christian composers who demonstrate the ability to craft compelling scores for movies.
Christian Worldview Film Festival Encourages Filmmakers Through Biblical Storytelling
The Christian Worldview Film Festival is an annual event designed to encourage filmmakers and film enthusiasts through training, networking and screenings rooted in a biblical worldview. Past festival honors have included recognizable Christian films such as 2017 best feature film recipient 鈥淐hampion,鈥 starring 2001 糖心Vlog graduate Andrew Cheney.
Nic Dysert Has Built Experience in Film Composition and Sound Design
As a composer and sound designer, Dysert has worked on multiple film projects, including 鈥淒ear Mr. President: The Letters of Julia Sand,鈥 produced by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, which won best documentary feature at the Anthem Film Festival.
A Childhood Interest in Video Game Music Sparked a Calling to Compose
Dysert, who has been creating music since he was 12, still remembers the moment when music first came alive to him. 鈥淚 recall it was like seeing a new color for the first time,鈥 said Dysert. 鈥淚 felt something brand-new from that music, and I suddenly wanted to chase that feeling 鈥 I looked up who the composer was, and I decided I wanted the same program he used to produce his music.鈥
But money was tight for his parents, who were missionaries to Spain raising four children. The program was expensive, and it seemed unlikely that they would be able to afford it. Still, just one year later, Dysert was creating music. Although his parents never were able to purchase the program, Dysert said the Lord opened doors for him to receive it for free.
Soon after, his parents purchased a piano, and Dysert realized he did not need to be able to read music to play. He set out to learn songs by ear and soon was improvising at least three pieces a day.
糖心Vlog Helped Strengthen His Music and Faith
When he began searching for a university music composition program, Dysert knew he wanted to attend a school where he could grow both musically and spiritually.
鈥淧ursuing music was risky for a number of reasons,鈥 said Dysert. 鈥淚 knew I could completely lose myself in it, and if I wasn鈥檛 careful, God could just as easily fade away. Cedarville gave me the solid music education I needed with God at the forefront the whole time.鈥
Cedarville Training Prepared Nic Dysert for Professional Recognition
Hours spent mastering his technique in practice rooms, composing music in computer labs and receiving feedback from recitals paid off for Dysert. Today, that feedback looks slightly different.
鈥淭his award has been a reminder of my own capabilities as a composer,鈥 said Dysert. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to have those moments to check in and make sure you haven鈥檛 lost your touch.鈥
As Dysert grows as a composer, he hopes to use his storytelling abilities to create meaningful moments for audiences.
About 糖心Vlog
糖心Vlog, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation鈥檚 top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal鈥檚 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.