Interview: ‘SuperKitties’ Composer Vidjay Beerepoot Discusses the Children and Family Emmy Hopeful

Vidjay Beerepoot is one of the most prolific film/TV composers in the world of children’s entertainment, lending his musical gifts to such projects as Minnie’s Bow-Toons, Kindergarten: The Musical, and SuperKitties.

Across all his scoring work for children’s media, Beerepoot is guided by a couple of core principles: “It’s all about keeping it thrilling but light enough for young viewers.”

Beerepoot was born in India and raised by Dutch parents in The Netherlands, where he continues to score the occasional project, including the 2024 animated feature Panda Bear in Africa. The composer’s transnational identity allowed him to arrive in the United States with a one-of-a-kind perspective, culminating in his graduation from the Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. Beerepoot’s sense of adventure is evident not only in his epic career trajectory, but in the action-packed and playful notes of his compositions. His score for Disney Junior’s SuperKitties is particularly colorful in its expansive incorporation of the Dutch native’s influences.

“The show’s blend of action, comedy, and heartfelt moments gave me the opportunity to explore a wide range of musical textures and sounds that I hadn’t worked with in the same way before,” says Beerepoot, who cites both James Bond and Mission: Impossible as early influences on him and his work.

SuperKitties features over 45 distinct musical themes from Beerepoot, each of them communicating specific traits about a character or location to the show’s young audience.

“For the SuperKitties, the music focuses on enhancing their superpowers,” explains Beerepoot. “Each Kitty has its own motif and musical color palette that underscores their unique abilities. The villains also have their own easily recognizable themes, each crafted to match their quirky characteristics.”

Check out my full conversation with composer Vidjay Beerepoot below.

SuperKitties is in contention for the Children and Family Emmys. What would this recognition mean to you?

This recognition would be incredibly meaningful to me, both personally and professionally. Musically, SuperKitties stands out because it blends so many of the influences I grew up loving—classic spy shows like James Bond and The Pink Panther, with a dash of Mission: Impossible and modern superhero flair. It’s been a thrill to bring those inspirations into a show designed for young audiences. Working with Disney is a dream come true, and their commitment to excellence constantly pushes me to deliver my best work.

SuperKitties is a playful, action-packed show. How do you balance the fun, adventure, and emotions through your music?

Balancing fun, adventure, and emotion in SuperKitties is key to maintaining its playful tone while still delivering high-energy action. The music is crafted to follow the emotional journey of the characters closely, always staying true to their experiences. Since the show is aimed at kids, it’s important to never make things too intense, so instead, I lean into the comedy and heartwarming moments. For the action sequences, I focus on creating excitement and tension using a wide range of musical colors through instrumentation and orchestration. It’s all about keeping it thrilling but light enough for young viewers.

Were there any specific themes or motifs you wanted to emphasize with the music for each of the SuperKitties?

With over 45 distinct musical themes throughout the show, I really wanted to ensure that each character, location, and transformation had its own signature sound. For the SuperKitties, the music focuses on enhancing their superpowers—each Kitty has its own motif and musical color palette that underscores their unique abilities. The villains also have their own easily recognizable themes, each crafted to match their quirky characteristics. For example, Zsa Zsa, the bird, has a Latin American-inspired theme, with shakers that evoke the sound of bird seeds. Cat Burglar’s theme revolves around the piano because of his love for playing it, while Mr. Puppypaws gets a big band sound to match his larger-than-life personality. 

How did you use music to bring out the unique personalities of each of the SuperKitties? Did each character have their own musical signature?

Each SuperKitty definitely has their own musical identity. The overall tone is a fresh, modern take on superhero music, but within that framework, each character’s personality shines through. For example, Bitsy’s music is fast and energetic to reflect her incredible speed, while Buddy’s theme mixes humor with strength—he’s funny but also heroic, so the music mirrors both his playful side and his power. These musical signatures help define each character for the audience and make their personalities pop.

The show is also in contention for the Annie Awards. How important are these kinds of industry recognitions for you as a composer?

Industry recognition like the Annie Awards is significantly important, especially since it highlights both the score and songs together. The songs in SuperKitties are incredibly catchy and fun, thanks to the brilliance of our songwriter, Keith Harrison Dworkin. It’s been an honor to collaborate with someone so talented, and it’s exciting to see both the music and the songs resonating with audiences and being considered for this kind of recognition.

Were there any particular scenes or moments in SuperKitties that were especially fun or challenging to score?

The action scenes are always a blast to score. I love composing thrilling, dynamic music that amplifies the stakes for our characters and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. It’s especially fun to weave in all the musical themes and motifs during these moments, so even when the action is intense, there’s still a playful, character-driven layer to the music.

On the other hand, the emotional moments are just as important. I make sure those scenes feel as heartfelt as possible, so the audience can really connect with the characters’ emotions. Whether it’s a tender moment between the SuperKitties or a touching resolution to a conflict, I aim for the music to deepen that emotional connection. It’s all about finding the right balance—elevating the action while also grounding the characters in their emotional journeys.

In what ways did scoring for SuperKitties allow you to explore new aspects of your musical style?

Each project I work on allows me to push my musical boundaries in different ways, and SuperKitties was no exception. I always aim to make every show sound distinct, and for this project, I experimented a lot with harmony and blending different musical styles and genres. The show’s blend of action, comedy, and heartfelt moments gave me the opportunity to explore a wide range of musical textures and sounds that I hadn’t worked with in the same way before.

Are there any key takeaways or lessons you’ve learned from working on SuperKitties that you’ll carry into future projects?

Absolutely. One of the biggest lessons from working on SuperKitties is learning how to stay focused and efficient, especially with the quick turnarounds. The fast-paced nature of production has taught me how to make creative decisions swiftly without compromising on quality, a skill that will definitely help me in future projects.

Check out Vidjay’s official site HERE, or follow him on Instagram.