~ About ~

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Justin Zvi Pellis is a cantor, pianist, choir conductor, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist.

Justin currently serves as the cantor of Or Hadash, a Conservative Synagogue in Fairfield, CT, where he introduced Musical Musaf, an accompanied Musaf service on both High Holy Days and Shabbat, featuring instruments such as classical guitar, violin, viola, flute, and cello. As a jazz musician, Justin has experience leading jazz-style instrumentalists in Jewish folk and jazz repertoire in services and concerts.
Justin currently conducts the New Haven Chapter of HaZamir, the Largest International Jewish Teen Choir.

He was recently the conducting intern at Nashir! The Rottenberg Chorale (see: Gallery).

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Justin’s musical journey began in Westchester, NY, where he was shaped by the harmony and soul of his home synagogue, Bet Am Shalom. He was very involved in musical theater productions, and realized his musical gifts by playing the scores from memory. This led him on a journey of learning jazz standards, show tunes, experimenting with Israeli/middle eastern guitar styles, and listening to the music of Matisyahu.

 

Justin earned his B.A. in Music at Goucher College, where he trained in

jazz and classical piano under the tutelage of Dr. Jeffrey Chappell, and classical voice with Jason Widney.

Justin played in the jazz ensemble, acted in musical theater productions,

and found time to serve as captain of the Goucher Comedy Improv Troupe. 

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In his last semester at Goucher, Justin enrolled in night classes at the Belz School of Music (Yeshiva)

to learn hazzanut. It was at this time that he realized he wanted to make a career out of being

a musician and a spiritual leader, and applied to the H. L. Miller Cantorial School (JTS),

where he was ordained and earned his Master's in Sacred Music. 

Justin was fortunate enough to study with with Jackie Mendelson, Darrell Lauer,

Benjie Ellen Schiller, Gerald Cohen, and Benny Warschwasky.

 

In his final years of cantorial school, Justin composed:

Teki’ot Suite for Shofar, Trumpet, and Hazzan (2022), and

 Song of Songs Wedding Suite for Hazzan, Chorus, Piano and Violin (2025). ​

 

Justin is grateful to his cantorial, rabbinical, and spiritual mentors

for helping to continually refine his vision of musical community leadership.