Maestra • For the women who make the music in the musical theater industry.

Biography

Julia Riew is a Korean-American composer, lyricist, and librettist/playwright. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Julia grew up playing the violin, singing along to Broadway soundtracks in the family car, and watching countless Disney movies.

Her original work has been featured at the American Repertory Theater, Harvard University’s Farkas Hall and Agassiz Theater, The UNC-Greensboro School of Theater, Nora Theater Company at Central Square Theater, The Harvard Art Lab, University of Missouri, The Community Music School of Webster University, and John Burroughs High School.

Some of Julia’s recent works include Jack and the Beanstalk: A Musical Adventure, which was commissioned for the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.)’s 2020 Family Musical, Thumbelina: A Little Musical (The A.R.T. 2019 Family Musical), and The East Side: A New Musical.

Current projects include:

Alice’s Wonderland, a collaboration with composer-lyricist J Quinton Johnson, which recently won the Apples and Oranges THEater ACCELERATOR Song Tank.

Shimcheong: A Korean Folktale, an original musical inspired by the Korean folktale The Blind Man’s Daughter.

Imposters [working title]: A musical theater / graphic novel collaboration with visual artist Arielle Jovellanos.