Serving the Score and the Savior: Sean Kisch’s Hollywood Calling
When Sean Kisch moved to Los Angeles, he wasn’t chasing the spotlight — he was answering a call to serve.
Sean works as a music copyist at JoAnn Kane Music Service, one of the top music preparation firms in the film industry. If you’ve seen a big-budget film in the last decade, there’s a good chance JoAnn Kane had a hand in it — and Sean might have too.
So, what exactly does a music copyist do? “I get asked that a lot,” Sean laughed during a recent episode of the Cedarville Stories podcast. “My job is to serve composers so they can serve the picture.” That means prepping sheet music, formatting parts for musicians, and making sure every note is ready for recording sessions — sometimes with just hours to spare.
It’s high-pressure work, but also high-impact. Sean has worked on films like The Minecraft Movie, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and Avatar: The Way of Water, collaborating with legendary composers like John Williams and Alan Silvestri. For a lifelong music-lover, working with his heroes is still a little surreal.
But for Sean, Hollywood isn’t just about career milestones — it’s about calling.
In a city where many arrive hoping to build a platform and chase personal success, Sean is focused on something different. His goal is to serve — his colleagues, his community, and ultimately Christ.
Sean graduated from Cedarville University in 2017, and his time there helped shape his mindset. There, he not only developed his musical skills but also deepened his understanding of how faith and vocation intersect. The University’s focus on excellence and biblical integration gave him the tools to pursue his craft with purpose. Those values now guide his work in every studio session and industry interaction.
In LA, Sean is part of a strong community of believers quietly making a difference in the entertainment industry. He attends Reality LA, a solidly biblical church, and supports local ministries working to share the light of Christ.
“There’s more light in Hollywood than people think,” Sean said. “God is doing amazing things here.”
Even in an industry known for glamor and competition, Sean sees Hollywood as a mission field. He continues to invest in the city and its people — through his church, his work, and his quiet, faithful presence behind the scenes.
Posted in: Podcast