I always want to approach my music a certain way, and that's finding the simplicity in complexity.
JAMES STRYSKA (he/they) is a passionate and versatile musical artist whose fascination with the structure and emotional depth of song has been a lifelong pursuit. From an early age, James delved into scores, arrangements, and orchestrations, seeking to understand how each component works together to create a cohesive and compelling musical narrative. As a multihyphenate composer, arranger, music director, and music supervisor, James’s work has been praised for its emotional resonance and expansiveness.
James is currently developing three original musicals: Don’t Forget Me—commissioned by A Class Act NY and workshopped in Charlotte and Greensboro, NC--MEDUSA: A New Musical, which recently completed its first developmental concert, and The Pyramid: A ‘Dance Moms’ Parody Musical. In addition to his writing, James is currently the music director for the Off-Broadway productions of Friends! The Musical Parody, The Office! A Musical Parody, and Singfeld! A Musical About Nothing! He also serves as music director for artists including Henry Platt (Sing On!), Megan Dwinell, Carolina Rial (The Voice), and Jadel Contreras. As a music supervisor, he is actively involved in the development of Blanchard’s Turn: A Killer Gypsy Parody, Lovington, and Two Thousand Miles. In 2025, he headlined his first solo concert and celebrated his 54th performance at 54 Below.
James composed the full-length original score for UNCG’s production of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, directed by Chad Parsons, and contributed music to the Industries of the Blind Public Art Piece in Greensboro, where his compositions, inspired by artwork by Krystal Rothermund and Daryl Wells, help tell the story of the installation to the visually impaired. His arrangements and orchestrations have been performed by The Moanin’ Frogs, Lindsay Kesselman, the Red Clay Saxophone Quartet, and the Las Vegas Youth Saxophone Ensemble. His work with the UNCG Saxophone Ensemble was featured at the 41st Annual International Saxophone Symposium, hosted by the United States Navy Band. He has also provided orchestrations for The Blumey Awards, a regional celebration of high school musical theater in Charlotte, NC.
At UNCG, James music directed the annual Miscast Cabaret Benefit Concert for two years. He was assistant music director for UNCG’s productions of Heathers: The Musical and HAIR, where he collaborated with Broadway music director Dominick Amendum (Wicked, First Date). Regionally, he has worked with the Community Theatre of Greensboro, Alamance Repertory Theatre Company, and Theatre Charlotte. As a keyboardist, James performs frequently in pit orchestras and serves as an accompanist for auditions and rehearsals. He has played for Western Carolina University’s Black Theatre Ensemble, Triad Stage, High Point Community Theatre, and Northwest School of the Arts, participating in Disney Theatrical Productions’ pilot of Frozen Jr.
James earned a Bachelor of Music in Composition with a minor in Music Theatre from UNCG, studying under Dr. Mark Engebretson and Dr. Alejandro Rutty. He is a proud member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) and the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC).
James is currently developing three original musicals: Don’t Forget Me—commissioned by A Class Act NY and workshopped in Charlotte and Greensboro, NC--MEDUSA: A New Musical, which recently completed its first developmental concert, and The Pyramid: A ‘Dance Moms’ Parody Musical. In addition to his writing, James is currently the music director for the Off-Broadway productions of Friends! The Musical Parody, The Office! A Musical Parody, and Singfeld! A Musical About Nothing! He also serves as music director for artists including Henry Platt (Sing On!), Megan Dwinell, Carolina Rial (The Voice), and Jadel Contreras. As a music supervisor, he is actively involved in the development of Blanchard’s Turn: A Killer Gypsy Parody, Lovington, and Two Thousand Miles. In 2025, he headlined his first solo concert and celebrated his 54th performance at 54 Below.
James composed the full-length original score for UNCG’s production of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, directed by Chad Parsons, and contributed music to the Industries of the Blind Public Art Piece in Greensboro, where his compositions, inspired by artwork by Krystal Rothermund and Daryl Wells, help tell the story of the installation to the visually impaired. His arrangements and orchestrations have been performed by The Moanin’ Frogs, Lindsay Kesselman, the Red Clay Saxophone Quartet, and the Las Vegas Youth Saxophone Ensemble. His work with the UNCG Saxophone Ensemble was featured at the 41st Annual International Saxophone Symposium, hosted by the United States Navy Band. He has also provided orchestrations for The Blumey Awards, a regional celebration of high school musical theater in Charlotte, NC.
At UNCG, James music directed the annual Miscast Cabaret Benefit Concert for two years. He was assistant music director for UNCG’s productions of Heathers: The Musical and HAIR, where he collaborated with Broadway music director Dominick Amendum (Wicked, First Date). Regionally, he has worked with the Community Theatre of Greensboro, Alamance Repertory Theatre Company, and Theatre Charlotte. As a keyboardist, James performs frequently in pit orchestras and serves as an accompanist for auditions and rehearsals. He has played for Western Carolina University’s Black Theatre Ensemble, Triad Stage, High Point Community Theatre, and Northwest School of the Arts, participating in Disney Theatrical Productions’ pilot of Frozen Jr.
James earned a Bachelor of Music in Composition with a minor in Music Theatre from UNCG, studying under Dr. Mark Engebretson and Dr. Alejandro Rutty. He is a proud member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) and the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC).
