Not Sailors, We Are Pirates

Sonya Belousova (Russian: Соня Белоусова; born February 4, 1990) is a Russian-American film composer, pianist and recording artist who resides and works in Los Angeles, California. Belousova is a winner of international composition and piano competitions. Recognized as a child prodigy, at the age of 13 years Belousova was awarded with the Russian Ministry of Culture Award for her outstanding achievements in music composition. Belousova is best known for her critically acclaimed work on Netflix's hit fantasy series The Witcher starring Henry Cavill. The Witcher Original Soundtrack Album, featuring songs and score composed and produced by Belousova and her scoring partner Giona Ostinelli, has achieved commercial success and critical recognition. The album debuted #1 on iTunes Top Soundtracks with the enormously successful hit single "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher" #1 on iTunes Top Soundtrack Songs and #1 on Billboard Digital Rock Songs Sales. The album charted #4 on iTunes for Top Albums (behind only Eminem, Breaking Benjamin, and Chase Rice) and in the top ten in every major territory in the world. "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher" broke into the Billboard charts: Billboard Top Current Albums, Billboard Top Album Sales, Billboard Top Soundtrack Albums, and The Billboard 200. The song has quickly become a viral sensation and a worldwide phenomenon. New York Post called it "the breakout hit," Thrillist "the biggest banger of 2020," Entertainment Weekly "a viral hit," Esquire "the best part of Netflix's series," The Verge "the hit song of the season," while Forbes stated that "the viral earworm became just as famous as the show." Belousova has gained a wide public recognition for her award-winning project Player Piano (first introduced as Cosplay Piano from the executive producer Stan Lee of Marvel Comics). To date Player Piano has totaled over 24 million views and received an array of awards and honors. Belousova performed at her 2013 San Diego Comic Con panel introduced by Stan Lee, and made an appearance at the 2014 Anime Expo performing solo with a 70-piece orchestra and 30-piece choir. Belousova is known for her work with the Festival Ballet Providence having been commissioned by the company to write three original ballets in collaboration with choreographer Viktor Plotnikov. She is also known for her collaboration with 27-time Grammy and 2-time Academy Award nominated producer and arranger Jorge Calandrelli. Belousova has performed in the largest venues of both her native Russia and the United States, including the Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, Grand Hall of Saint Petersburg Philharmonia, Chamber Hall of Saint Petersburg Philharmonia, Saint Petersburg State Capella Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles Convention Center and San Diego Convention Center.