We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Brittany, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am originally from Detroit, Michigan and I started my musical journey at age 9 starting with piano lessons. I still remember the long hours I would sit practicing the piano, creating my own music. I chose piano but quickly began to add on instruments. After about two years I started on the violin as well, then 4 years later (after I felt I mastered the violin by the ripe age of 12) I switched to the cello. From age 12 I knew I wanted to be a musician, although at that time I wanted to play in the New York Philharmonic and join the Ballet, as well as land a role on Saturday Night live, and be Broadway star. Lol. I guess you could say I had a lot of goals. haha …..I went on to play in many different kinds of ensembles from full orchestra, chamber orchestra’s, quartets, trios, duo’s, choir’s, sketch comedy groups, musicals, pit orchestra’s, competing and winning in competitions, participating in music camps, and ballet. I was completely immersed in music and the arts my entire life. I truly love all forms of art.
Raised in a single parent home in some of Detroit’s poorest neighborhoods, I learned at a young age how to be resourceful, and how to channel my energy into music, dance, or acting, which really came in handy on some of my toughest days. With the help of my mom, I learned not to be a product of my environment, but to reach for the stars and never stop dreaming. My mother has always been extremely supportive of anything that I did, so she really instilled in me that I could accomplish and achieve ANYTHING I put my energy towards. Thanks Mom!
By the time I was a senior in high school I had to make a choice on which art I wanted to pursue, music seemed to come to me the easiest, so, I went to Western Michigan University double majoring in Music: Cello Performance and Music Education with Bruce Uchimura.
Already having a strong orchestral background, being classically trained in strings, ( piano, violin, cello,) adding my Music Ed. degree required further in depth study of all of the instruments of the orchestra. So through many instrument classes and student teaching (where I taught, and mostly played double bass and violin, in the orchestra) I also took private lessons on all of the string instruments (except the harp), and learned how to teach and play the trombone, flute, clarinet, saxophone, tuba, trumpet, french horn, and guitar.
After graduation, I moved to New York and began teaching as a strings teacher in Trenton, NJ, while gigging as a freelance cellist and violinist all around the Tri-State area. I have taught in many schools all around NYC as Director of Bands, Orchestra’s, and Choirs, I have been a Camp Director for a theater camp, and I have had wonderful opportunities to perform at venues such as Saturday Night Live with Shawn Mendez, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with Liam Gallager, Carnegie Hall with the Manhattan Symphonie, The Apollo Theatre, multiple performances and residencies at The Lincoln Center, just to name a few.
My ever expanding love for music continued to grow and I needed something more. I always wanted to compose music for film and television and after many years of stuffing this desire down, I finally went after my dreams and I was accepted into New York University’s Masters in Music Theory and Composition: Film Scoring Program. During the program and following the completion of the program, I was able to compose original music for student films, sound design, and so much more. It completely broadened my musical horizons.
Currently I have my hands in a lot of different projects. My multifaceted upbringing has led me to start a band with my partner Leadnria Lott called “ The Royal Green Rangers”. We are a multifaceted duo performing original music with violin, cello, bass, guitar, and vocals. We also are an accompanying comedy duo, where we arrange, compose, and accompany with underscore for stand up comedians in their shows.
I currently sit on a board as the Senior Talent Acquisition Partner and Cellist, for The BRIDGE orchestra. A hip-hop/classical fusion orchestra bringing a community of black and brown string players together.
I am a film/tv/media composer currently freelance in the NYC Tri-state area. I am the Co-Creator and composer for the podcast Goodnight Black Child. Currently streaming on all major platforms, my partner, Mellissa Phillips-Oribhabor, and I created a podcast that uses folk tales, original stories, and music to help still the wise minds in young people, intentionally creating a safe space for Black and brown children around the world.
I am actively performing and gigging as a freelance cellist and violinist. I have my own private studio of students, teaching violin, viola, cello, piano, and composition.
Lastly, but certainly not least, my partner Leandria and I are creating an after school chamber strings ensemble program called “ The Colorful Strings Ensemble”. Here young musicians learn how to play or strengthen their skills as a musician and ensemble.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Currently I have my hands in a lot of different projects. My multifaceted upbringing has led me to start a band with my partner Leandria Lott called “ The Royal Green Rangers”. We are a multifaceted duo performing original music with violin, cello, bass, guitar, and vocals. We also are an accompanying comedy duo, where we arrange, compose, and accompany with underscore for stand up comedians in their shows.
I currently sit on a board as the Senior Talent Acquisition Partner and Cellist, for The BRIDGE orchestra. A hip-hop/classical fusion orchestra bringing a community of black and brown string players together.
I also serve on the board of the recently developed Composer’s Diversity Collective for New York City where we bring composers and film directors from diverse backgrounds together for community and collaboration.
I am a film/tv/media composer currently freelance in the NYC Tri-state area. I am the Co-Creator and composer for the podcast Goodnight Black Child. Currently streaming on all major platforms, my partner, Mellissa Phillips-Oribhabor, and I created a podcast that uses folk tales, original stories, and music to help still the wise minds in young people, intentionally creating a safe space for Black and brown children around the world.
I am actively performing and gigging as a freelance cellist and violinist. I have my own private studio of students, teaching violin, viola, cello, piano, and composition.
Lastly, but certainly not least, my partner Leandria and I are creating an after school chamber strings ensemble program called “ The Colorful Strings Ensemble”. Here young musicians learn how to play or strengthen their skills as a musician and ensemble,
I feel my ability to play multiple instruments and ability to perform in multiple art discipline’s really sets me a part from other artists. I am able to connect with other artists in other disciplines because of the common knowledge and experience. My 10 years of ballet really helped me to always feel music in a different way, rarely missing the beat. My composer/conductor ear has always helped me to hear absolutely everything. When I listen to music, I truly am listening to every last part that is or isnt’t happening. I hear music as one big piece instead of individual parts. That is also how I create my music. My experience in sketch comedy gives me a strong sense of timing, so inserting music, jokes, or whatever has always been very natural to me.
Was it easy to get to where I am professionally today? No. lol but growing up in adversity, I am very familiar with challenges and how to overcome them. In my youth we struggled. I moved around a lot, food was hard to come by consistently, along with shelter. I am very used to making due with what I have and also have learned the valuable lesson of reaching out to others when I need help. Never losing faith in God, knowing that the universe always has my back, keeping my eye on the goal, and my head straight through life’s most difficult of challenges, has all prepared and taught me to stay strong, vulnerable and open to receive help in the many forms help arrives in.
I have learned and am still learning so many lessons. I would say the biggest lessons so far have been trusting that my path is secure and does not look like the path of others. Leaning in to being vulnerable and open because that creates healing and connection to others, and loving myself first, no matter what.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Great question, I don’t think I get out and enjoy the city enough haha.
BUT! I do LOVE nature. Some of my favorite spots in Brooklyn and Manhattan are Prospect Park and Central Park. I feel like as many times as I have explored these parks, I keep finding new areas I’ve never seen before. Some of my favorite things to do are outdoor activities, whether it’s a picnic in the park, or roller blading, long boarding, or bike riding through the parks and cities.
I love a lot of the restaurants in Brooklyn, although I am not vegetarian or vegan, BK has a lot of very delicious vegetarian and vegan spots I enjoy such as Greedi Vegan/Kitchen, Natural Blend, and my favorite juice bar of all time is probably Juices for Life in Bed-Stuy.
However, Chavella’s on Franklin ave is my favorite spot. It’s a Mexican spot with AMAZING dishes and drinks. They have a mezcal bar (my favorite), the restaurant is very cool and the staff is so nice. If you ever visit Brooklyn this is where we are going to eat multiple times haha.
I would also make a stop in the city to Washington square park and visit the bars and restaurant’s all around that area. Around NYU is probably my favorite spot in the city.
I would end the trip by the water, either under the Brooklyn Bridge, at Far Rockaway Beach, or the Chelsea Piers.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Wow. I have so many people to shout out. I have had so much help along my journey and I am so grateful. I want to shout out my mom, Saundra Harris, my sister Rosa Weaver, and my best friend Jessica Bryant for truly giving me the tools and support I needed and continue to need to be successful in life.
I want to shoutout ALL of my musical mentors and teachers, without you all I would not be the musician and person I am today.
Karen Jones- my first strings teacher, my high school orchestra teacher and mentor Marc Haas, Bruce Uchimura, my cello professor and life coach, Greg Pliska and Mark Suozzo my composition professors and mentors.
My education mentors- Bruce Uchimura, Dan Scott, Carol Johnson, Dana Davidson, and Shar Willis.
Pastor Greg Stamper and Pastor Yolanda Batts my life coaches, mentors, and family. They have helped me tremendously on my journey. Thank you for helping me change my life!
Lastly I want to shoutout my theater and sketch comedy mentor and teacher Marilyn McCormick!
All of these amazing professors, mentors, and teachers are true G.O.A.T.S. and they have given me so much for my journey I love you all and I am so grateful to have them in my life experience.
Website: https://brittanyharrismusic.com/
Instagram: @cellobritt
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittany.harris.397/
Other: Band Instagram- @theroyalgreenrangers
Image Credits
J.T. McCann J. Malcolm