2.18 - Felix Jarrar

Felix Jarrar is a multidisciplinary artist, distinguished as a composer, coach and 

conductor. His music has been praised for its "dreamlike" quality (Boston Globe) and 

"delightfully cruel" edge (Operawire). Jarrar's compositions have been noted to "flow 

from him in the most natural and lively way" (Tom Cipullo). 

Jarrar has had the privilege of collaborating with numerous esteemed organizations, 

including Santa Fe Opera, St. Petersburg Opera, OPERA San Antonio, The New 

School, Opera Naples, Opera North, Opera Ithaca, Penn Square Opera, Hogfish, 

University of Memphis and the iconic Apollo Theater. For the 2024/2025 season, he 

serves as Assistant Conductor with Florida Grand Opera, working on productions of Die 

Zauberflöte, L’elisir d’amore, and Carmen. 

Jarrar's impressive compositional catalog comprises 275 works, including 235 art 

songs, 14 operas, 2 string quartets, and a symphony. He has received notable 

commissions from and been underwritten by the New England Repertory Orchestra, 

University of Missouri Kansas City, Prismatic Arts Ensemble, Off the Chamber, Spark 

Duo, Idaho Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. His 

operas have been produced by Landlocked Opera, Chicago Fringe Opera, /kor/ 

productions, Killer Queen Opera, Opera Elect, and New Wave Opera, amongst others. 

His song "Sun of the Sleepless" was featured on the 2024 GRAMMY-nominated album 

40@40 by Laura Strickling and Daniel Schlosberg. 

Felix Jarrar holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marlboro College, where he graduated 

with highest honors in music composition and piano performance. He earned his Master 

of Music degree from Brooklyn College, receiving the Graduate Dean's Award in Music 

Composition. Jarrar's musical training was influenced by his studies with Jason Eckardt, 

Stanley Charkey, Tania León, and Robert Merfeld, as well as mentorship from piano 

pedagogue Burton Hatheway. 

https://www.felixjarrarmusic.com