I always want to approach my music a certain way, and that's finding the simplicity in complexity.
JAMES STRYSKA (he/they) has been obsessed with the construction of the song for as long as he can remember. Ever since he was a child, he has been studying scores, arrangements, orchestrations, to see how each element works together to create one cohesive whole. A multihyphenate musical artist, his music has been described as "big and full of emotion” James is currently working on two new musicals: Don't Forget Me: A New Musical (which has gone through developmental workshops in Charlotte, NC and Greensboro, NC) and his latest work, MEDUSA (which just went through its first developmental workshop in Greensboro, NC). He has also provided a full-length original score for UNCG School of Theatre's "Theatre for Young People" production of Roald Dahl's The Witches, directed by Chad Parsons. James's work is also found at the Industries of the Blind Public Art Piece located on West Gate City Blvd. in Greensboro, NC, where he composed a piece based off of artwork by Krystal Rothermund and Daryl Wells, helping tell the story of the artwork to those who are visually impaired.
In addition to composing, James has provided arrangements for performers such as the Las Vegas Youth Saxophone Ensemble, The Moanin' Frogs, Lindsay Kesselman, the Red Clay Saxophone Quartet. His arrangement for the UNCG Saxophone Ensemble performed at the 41st Annual International Saxophone Symposium hosted by the United States Navy Band. He has also had the pleasure to provide arrangements and orchestrations for The Blumey Awards, an award ceremony in excellence in high school musical theatre in the greater Charlotte, NC area.
James’ extensive music directing work ranges from student workshops at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro to founding the annual UNCG Miscast Cabaret Benefit Concert, where he served as its music director for two years. He was an assistant music director for two of UNCG School of Theatre's main-stage productions: Heathers: the Musical and HAIR where he got to assist Dominick Amendum (Broadway Music Director known for Wicked and First Date) as well as working with theatre groups such as the Community Theatre of Greensboro, Alamance Repertory Theatre Company, and Theatre Charlotte.
As a performer, you can find James playing the keyboard either in the pit orchestra or as the audition/rehearsal accompanist. He has provided his keyboard skills for groups such as Western Carolina University's Black Theatre Ensemble, Triad Stage, High Point Community Theatre, Community Theatre of Greensboro, Alamance Repertory Theatre Company, Theatre Charlotte, and Northwest School of the Arts where he participated in the premiere pilot production of Frozen Jr., hosted by Disney Theatrical Productions Ltd.
James holds a Bachelors of Music in Composition, with a minor in Music Theatre degree at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro where he studied with Dr. Mark Engebretson and Dr. Alejandro Rutty. He is currently earning his Master of Music in Music Theory and Composition: Songwriting at New York University, studying under Grammy-nominated and Billboard top-charting Phil Galdston. He is an active member of both the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) and the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC).
In addition to composing, James has provided arrangements for performers such as the Las Vegas Youth Saxophone Ensemble, The Moanin' Frogs, Lindsay Kesselman, the Red Clay Saxophone Quartet. His arrangement for the UNCG Saxophone Ensemble performed at the 41st Annual International Saxophone Symposium hosted by the United States Navy Band. He has also had the pleasure to provide arrangements and orchestrations for The Blumey Awards, an award ceremony in excellence in high school musical theatre in the greater Charlotte, NC area.
James’ extensive music directing work ranges from student workshops at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro to founding the annual UNCG Miscast Cabaret Benefit Concert, where he served as its music director for two years. He was an assistant music director for two of UNCG School of Theatre's main-stage productions: Heathers: the Musical and HAIR where he got to assist Dominick Amendum (Broadway Music Director known for Wicked and First Date) as well as working with theatre groups such as the Community Theatre of Greensboro, Alamance Repertory Theatre Company, and Theatre Charlotte.
As a performer, you can find James playing the keyboard either in the pit orchestra or as the audition/rehearsal accompanist. He has provided his keyboard skills for groups such as Western Carolina University's Black Theatre Ensemble, Triad Stage, High Point Community Theatre, Community Theatre of Greensboro, Alamance Repertory Theatre Company, Theatre Charlotte, and Northwest School of the Arts where he participated in the premiere pilot production of Frozen Jr., hosted by Disney Theatrical Productions Ltd.
James holds a Bachelors of Music in Composition, with a minor in Music Theatre degree at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro where he studied with Dr. Mark Engebretson and Dr. Alejandro Rutty. He is currently earning his Master of Music in Music Theory and Composition: Songwriting at New York University, studying under Grammy-nominated and Billboard top-charting Phil Galdston. He is an active member of both the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) and the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC).
photo by Gabriella Spiegel