Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Harris.
Hi Brittany, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My musical journey started in Detroit, Mi, where I am originally from, at age 9. That was a significant year for me because my mother said I could start music lessons at that age. My siblings had already started music lessons. I am the youngest of four and my mother made all of us learn a musical instrument. I was so excited when it was finally my turn. I chose the piano and absolutely fell in love with it. (It’s still my favorite instrument today… don’t tell my cello.)
A year after I began piano, I also started learning the violin. For a while, I took piano lessons on the weekends and violin and choir during the week. Eventually, I did all of the arts. I was a performing arts kid. Ballet, Choir, Orchestra, Improv, festivals, competitions, workshops, musicals, music camps, theatre camps, you name it, I was in it.
I went to a specialized high school, Cass Technical High School, where I majored in music so my classes were centered around a music profession.
After graduating high school I attended Western Michigan University for Cello Performance and Music Education. I received two Bachelor’s degrees, found my first job as a strings teacher in Trenton, New Jersey, and I moved to Brooklyn in 2015. For years I taught music in schools, every music class you can think of, I taught it. Orchestra, band, choir, drumming class, recorder class, music theory, music history. I was the music specialist everywhere I went.
Somehow I also managed to be a gigging freelance cellist and private instructor as well. I’ve had really amazing opportunities to have multiple performances at major venues such as; Carnegie Hall, Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Center, Saturday Night Live, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and The Shed just to name a few. I was leading a very busy but fun life!
There was something missing though. I loved writing music. Out of all of my musical training, my favorite thing to do would be to sit at my piano for hours creating music to the movies in my head. I remember being 10 and 11 practicing my piano. I’d always start with the music I was learning, then I would end up creating my own music. My mom would hear and compliment me, asking what movie was the music from. I would laugh and say the movie in my head. I realize now composition was always my real true calling.
Later in life, I would hear large orchestral works in my head and not have a clue how to get it all out on paper. I would become so frustrated knowing there was more learning I needed to do and I wasn’t listening to all of the intuitive thoughts telling me to apply to New York University for Film Scoring. lol
Finally in 2019, after vetting a documentary late at night, creating an assignment for my students for the substitute teacher the next day, I ended vetting the documentary called “Score”. Which is a documentary about film composers. My absolute favorite film composer is, and always has been since I was about nine, is Hans Zimmer. Absolutely every score I have heard of his I love. So I’m watching the documentary and I was so excited. I couldn’t sleep afterward (and it was pretty late, I am usually in bed by 10pm) It felt like a bolt of electricity surged through my body. I was completely inspired by a documentary I chose for my students. The following day I applied to New York Universities Master’s program in Film Scoring.
I found out on Valentine, after a breakup, that I was accepted into the program! I will never forget that valentines day, haha. I also had covid before anyone knew it was covid. So I was so sick and sad and then received the best news of my life.
At NYU all of my dreams were really coming true. I had the best two years of my life, despite covid, making new friends and truly following my passions. I graduated in May 2022, and I now work for a music library productions company, 4 Elements Music, and I am currently involved in a number of projects. Including two short films, writing a piece for an orchestra, and writing, singing, and performing my own music.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. Haha
I was a poor kid growing up. My mother, a single mom, had a very challenging time making ends meet every month. Food was hard to come by and often utilities were shut off in my home. I went to a really great high school but unfortunately, not very good elementary or middle schools. I had a big stress over my head playing catch up, trying to keep up with my friends academically, all while trying to pretend things were normal in my household. The arts- acting, dancing, and music, were how I coped with all of this. It gave me a way to express emotions and feelings I had no words for yet.
It took me two years to get into music school. I had to audition multiple times for different schools before I was finally accepted into Western Michigan’s music program. I actually almost quit cello because I was so discouraged. I had a professor tell me I would never get into a music program because I needed to practice too much. I was too far behind in his eyes.
Thank God I didn’t get into his music program. I found the right professor, Bruce Uchimura (Uch) who literally made me the cellist and teacher I am today. If you ask him, I could barely even play a scale by the time I reached him. Haha, I hadn’t practiced my cello in two years really, so I had forgotten some things. Uch gave me a chance, he saw something in me and I am forever grateful. I remember practicing my ass off so I wouldn’t be the last chair in orchestra. I was the last chair for two years. It was such a humbling experience. When I was in high school I was very competitive and was one of the best. My attitude reflected that as well, so that experience completely necessary for me. I realized I wasn’t the only cellist in the world. haha
Those were my earliest hurdles.
While I was undergrad, since I was a music major, and double major, I had 10 classes a semester for five years. Since I needed an income to survive I also worked almost every weekend for five years as well. I can’t tell you how I managed that kind of a schedule for so long, but I do know it eventually leads to burnout.
Grad school was challenging because its grad school and I was working as a full-time DOE Music Teacher in NYC public schools. I learned this was impossible to do without stretching myself too thin, so I was quit teaching my second year of Grad school.
Then there are the challenges of adult life. I have messed up really important gigs, I have been embarrassed, angry, and upset with myself. I have struggled financially, I’ve gone through multiple heartbreaks, and multiple losses. That’s life. I have learned to keep my faith and a positive and determined mindset through it all.
It will all work out in the end.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am known for being a cellist, composer, singer/songwriter and music educator.
I am still a freelance cellist, so I am constantly working as a studio recording artist, performing for a multitude of projects from artist’s albums, concerts, theatre shows, musicals, weddings, anything really. Also, I have my own band and play for many other bands.
I also write, perform, and record my own music. I sing with my cello, violin, and/or bass.
I have a podcast with my Co-Creator Mellissa Philips, called Good Night Black Child. It is a podcast for children and the young at heart focusing on original and folk stories from the African and Caribbean diaspora along with meditations and affirmations. We are currently in out 4th season check us out on all major podcast platforms. I am the audio engineer and composer for this podcast.
I am currently sitting on the board of a Hip-Hop Orchestra called The B.R.I.D.G.E.- bridging the gap between classical music and Hip-Hop/R&B.
I would say I am most proud of some of my own music. A few singles I have written – “Shards of A Broken Heart” and “Dog on My Shoulder”.
My band- The Royal Green Rangers, and the orchestra I am a part of building, The Bridge.
I believe what sets me apart from others is my ability and specialty with string instruments and my unique indie soul, experimental, jazzy sounds. Using loopers, FX, and a cinematic sound.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
So many people deserve credit!
Firstly, my mom Saundra Harris, I wouldn’t be here at all without her love, support, and never-ending belief in me. My siblings for their support and encouragement. Rosa, Brandon, and Tangie.
Greg Pliska – My Composition Professor
Mark Suozzo – My Composition Professor
Chris Haijin – My Composition Professor
Rob Reale – My Boss
Bruce Uchimura my cello professor and mentor.
Dan Scott- My mentor teacher and colleague
Carol Johnson – My mentor teacher and Colleague
Marc Haas – Highschool Orchestra Teacher
Karen Jones- She started me on my strings journey!
And my best friend in the entire world Jessica Bryant. I love you so much!
Thank you all for your endless support and encouragement! I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for all of you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brittanyharrismusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cellobritt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittany.harris.397/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/brittany-harris-128619684
