From stars who sell out shows to award winning musicians, the State University of New York has a long list of talented alumni. Check out our “Best of SUNY” playlist featuring chart-topping hits and lesser-known favorites written, sung, or produced by seven artists that attended SUNY.
Listen on Apple Music or Spotify.
Learn more about each artist, their music, and their connection to SUNY colleges.
Music Industry Giants Who Went to SUNY
Randy Merrill, Mastering Engineer
SUNY Connection: Jamestown Community College (‘94) and SUNY Fredonia (’97) alum. Degree in sound recording technology.
Bio: Merrill is an award-winning mastering engineer. Turn on the radio today and chances are you’ll hear a few hits he helped finalize.
His impressive discography ranges from Paul McCartney’s “McCartney III” to the “Wicked” soundtrack to several Taylor Swift records.
Merrill also worked on Grammy-winning albums including Adele’s “25,” and Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House.”
Albums/Singles Include:
- “Eternal Sunshine” – Ariana Grande
- “Mayhem” – Lady Gaga
- “Wicked: The Soundtrack”
- “Shawn” – Shawn Mendes
- “Die With a Smile” – Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga
- “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” – Chappel Roan
- “The Great Impersonator” – Halsey
- “The Tortured Poet’s Department” – Taylor Swift
- “Guts” – Olivia Rodrigo
- “The Album” – Jonas Brothers
- “Minus” – Ed Sheeran
- “Midnights” – Taylor Swift
- “30” – Adele
- “Nevermind (30th Anniversary Edition)” – Nirvana
- “Red (Taylor’s Version)” – Taylor Swift
- “Sob Rock” – John Mayer
- “Plastic Hearts” – Miley Cyrus
SUNY Connection: Purchase College alum (’13). Degree in studio composition.
Bio: Mitski is an Academy Award nominated artist known for her emotional, introspective lyrics and unique, genre-blending sound. She wrote her first two albums “Lush” and “Retired from Sad, New Career in Business” while studying at Purchase. She wrote her second album as part of her senior project.
Her song “This Is a Life,” written for A24’s “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once” earned her a Grammy nomination in 2023. That same year, she reached the Billboard’s Hot 100 with her single “My Love Mine All Mine”
Songs Include:
- “My Love Mine All Mine”
- “Nobody”
- “First Love/Late Spring”
- “Francis Forever”
- “Strawberry Blonde”
- “Love Me More”
- “The Only Heartbreaker”
SUNY Connection: SUNY Oneonta alum (’06). Degree in music industry.
Bio: Inducted into SUNY Oneonta’s Music Hall of Fame in 2019, Scott Harris Freidman is a Grammy nominated songwriter, producer, and musician. He co-wrote the Chainsmokers’ “Don’t Let Me Down,” which hit #1 on the Top 40 in 2016.
He often collaborates with Shawn Mendes, working with the star to create major hits like “Treat You Better,” and “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back.”
Songs Include:
- “Don’t Let Me Down” – The Chainsmokers
- “Treat You Better” – Shawn Mendes
- “Nothing Holding Me Back” – Shawn Mendes
- “Lost in Japan” – Shawn Mendes
- “In My Blood” – Shawn Mendes
- “Beautiful Day” – Mike Posner
SUNY Connection: Purchase College alum (‘21). Degree in jazz studies.
Bio: Bronx-born jazz vocalist Samara Joy rose to fame while still a student at SUNY Purchase, winning the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.
Known for her smooth tone and timeless style, she earned Best New Artist at the 2023 Grammys and added two more Grammy wins in 2025.
Songs Include:
- “Tight”
- “Stardust”
- “Flor de Lis (Upside Down)”
- “Sweet Pumpkin”
- “I Miss You So”
- “Everything Happens to Me”
SUNY Connection: Binghamton University alum (’01). Degree in theatre.
Bio: Ingrid Michaelson became a household name in 2007 when her single “The Way I Am” reached the Billboard Top 100. Michaelson’s memorable melodies continued to top the charts in the 2010s with “Be Ok” and “Girls Chase Boys.”
Her work also extends to stage and screen. She wrote the music and lyrics for the 2024 Broadway adaptation of “The Notebook,” and her songs have appeared in shows and movies like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Little Fires Everywhere.”
Songs Include:
- “The Way I Am”
- “Be Ok”
- “Girls Chase Boys”
SUNY Connection: Purchase College alum (’01). Degree in studio composition.
Bio: Fans of Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” will recognize this Purchase College alum’s Grammy-nominated song “You’ve Got Time,” which is the main theme of the show. The song is an example of Spektor’s music style, blending imaginative story-telling with multiple genres. She’s also known for favorites like “Two Birds” and “Fidelity”
Songs Include:
- “You’ve Got Time”
- “Two Birds”
- “Fidelity”
- “Dear Theodosia” (feat. Ben Folds) from “The Hamilton Mixtape”
SUNY Connection: Jamestown Community College alum (‘82). Honorary Doctorate of Music in from SUNY New Paltz (’09). Merchant’s band, 10,000 Maniacs, recorded their first album in SUNY Fredonia’s Mason Hall studios.
Bio: Natalie Merchant is a groundbreaking artist known for her unmistakable voice and poetic lyrics. Over her 40-year career, she has earned multiple Grammy nominations and worked with artists like David Bryne, REM, and Tracy Chapman.
SUNY has played a role throughout Merchant’s story. At age 16, she attended Jamestown Community College. During this time, she co-founded 10,000 Maniacs. The band recorded their first CD in SUNY Fredonia’s Mason Hall studios. In 2009 she earned an honorary Doctorate of Music from SUNY New Paltz.
Songs Include:
- “Kind & Generous”
- “Wonder”
- “Jealousy”
- “San Adreas Fault”
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