BIOGRAPHY

Justin Friello is a multi-genre composer and performer who specializes in autobiographical narratives. Originally from upstate NY, he recently earned his Master’s degree in Music Composition from the University of North Texas under the mentorship of Dr. Joseph Klein. His thesis project, Goodbye To Myself, Pt. 1, explored the intersection of family, performance, and psychotherapeutic methods (goodbyetomyself.com). Justin received his Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany, where he double majored in Music Theory and Psychology. He also attended SUNY Purchase’s Conservatory of Music, studying composition with Huang Ruo and Suzanne Farrin and orchestration with Du Yun.

From 2012–2017, he was an active member of the Lehman Engel BMI Musical Theatre Advanced Workshop in New York City, where he met his writing partner, Cleo Handler. Their full-length original musical, From The Fire, was selected for the Off Broadway Musical Theater Production Program at the Players Theatre and was a semi-finalist at the National Music Theatre Conference. Justin was featured in Playbill online for his arranging and orchestration work on the video series, “SONDHEIM…In The Style Of…” He has also been a proud member of Actors' Equity since 2015. In 2026, Justin composed an original score and sound design for the University of North Texas Department of Dance and Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest (dir. Sasha Maya Ada, recording available on streaming services).

Justin has been performing since 2005 as a solo singer-songwriter and frontman for several bands (Filming Ohio, Stockade Kids, Justin Friello Trio). While live performance has always been his focus, his collection of studio releases includes numerous EPs, LPs, singles, and even 10 holiday albums. In 2016, Justin released his hybrid EP/Short Film, Jack & Jill. His most recent release is a live EP, recorded at the famous Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY. You can purchase and stream his music on all platforms.

Follow Justin on Instagram @jfriello