Owego Free Academy Class of 2010 Alumna, Jillian Strauss, co-wrote the songs “Fearless” and “Molly’s Lullaby” that appear in the Universal Pictures movie “A Dog’s Journey,” that hit theaters May 17th.
During her time at OFA, Jillian was a member of MTB, Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Concert Band, Jazz Band and Musical Theater. She attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA after graduating from OFA.
Talking with Jillian about her time at OFA and what led to this opportunity to co-write songs for a major motion picture, this is what she had to say. “I feel really blessed to have always had great mentors in my life, and they started at OFA where I really found my love for music, specifically discovering songwriting. Megan Burrell and Dan Fabricius were incredible teachers and really encouraged me.”
“My mentor Jayson Dezuzio who is an incredible hit songwriter (Imagine Dragons – Thunder) invited me in to write a song to potentially get pitched for the movie. It ended up being picked. We then wrote another song for it as well. I have a long ways to go to the level I want to be at as both a writer and a musician, but I am BLESSED to be where I am. The movie is really incredible, I highly encourage bringing tissues.”
Read the Billboard article and listen to the song “Fearless” here: https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8511541/abby-anderson-fearless-a-dogs-journey
See the trailer for the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2FrrSyyKfA
