Meet Emma Breen

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emma Breen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emma, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always had the blessing of parents that encouraged my two siblings and I to pursue our dreams. After starting trumpet in fifth grade I just knew I didn’t want to spend a day without trumpet in my life. Taking the leap to go to college for trumpet and ultimately start to build a career was just the most direct way to keep make sure that dream came to life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

The world of trumpet in particular can be a hard place to navigate. Trumpet is such a male-dominated instrument and so many of the major institutions for musicians, particularly classically trained musicians, are not welcoming to female trumpet players. I am so proud to be the first woman to win the principal trumpet position of the American Youth Symphony. The idea of breaking traditional molds for the next generation of artists and the resillience that requires keeps me going. Choosing the path of being an artist is never an easy decision. We face rejection so much more than success, and yet that is so rarely talked about. Self-doubt, questions of worth, and comparison to your peers is something that is so innately a part of being a creative and learning to overcome those tiny voices is an ongoing struggle.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a huge museum nerd! Outside of trumpet I work in research at the Zamudio Lab as part of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Being from the Midwest, the La Brea Tarpits were always very fascinating to me and a big shoutout to the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City for being one of the more…interesting museums I’ve visited. There are so many amazing museums, like the Hammer Museum in Westwood, that have free admission making it easy to pop in for a couple hours!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost my amazing parents. Music was never an option growing up as we started weekly piano lessons at the age of five. By high school my parents were driving me to state honor bands, flying with me to national competitions, and letting me borrow the family minivan so I could drive to trumpet lessons every week. I would not be anywhere close to where I am without my amazing teachers including David Washburn, Michael Sachs, David Bilger, Jens Lindemann, and many more. Most importantly my amazing fiancee who keeps me grounded and is always in the audience.

Website: https://www.emmaplaystrumpet.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emma.breen.12532