Graduate School
Finding Her Voice: Brianna Reilly on Music, Resilience, and a Future in Higher Education
This May, Brianna Reilly, a Doctor of Musical Arts student originally from New York and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, celebrated a
milestone: graduating from the University of Memphis and being honored with the Top 30 Under 35 Award during the Graduate Student Association鈥檚 spring awards ceremony. Her journey from
aspiring performer to music scholar and educator is marked by resilience, creativity,
and a deep passion for using music as a vehicle for healing and understanding.
Brianna first came to the UofM for her Master of Music degree, but the turning point came during the COVID era. 鈥淚 was offered a full GA to continue into my doctorate,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t felt like the universe was giving me a sign to continue my education鈥攁nd that I could make a real difference in music and higher education.鈥�
Her dissertation centers on Ned Rorem鈥檚 song cycle Aftermath, a work composed in response to the 9/11 tragedy. Raised in New York until 2005,
Brianna felt a profound connection to this piece. 鈥淚 was curious to find other works
that would make me feel a deep connection to my home state,鈥� she explained. What drew
her further into Aftermath was not just its theme, but Rorem鈥檚 background as a Quaker
and pacifist鈥攁nd how those beliefs shaped the music鈥檚 emotional landscape.
Through her research, she uncovered how intentional silence plays a critical role in the piece, mirroring Quaker worship practices and adding depth to its emotional resonance. That discovery, made through the support of her dissertation chair Dr. Josef Hanson, was a defining 鈥渁ha鈥� moment. 鈥淗e truly cared about my research, writing, and well-being,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 would not be here at the finish line without his optimism and support.鈥�
Brianna hopes her work will not only shed new light on Aftermath, but also spark broader conversations about how music interprets tragedy and emotion. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a cycle in society of violence, grief, and moving on,鈥� she said. 鈥淢usic allows us to process those moments in a way words often can鈥檛. I hope my work encourages more singers to perform these contemporary classical pieces and brings more accessibility to modern works.鈥�
Her time at UofM has been filled with proud moments, but none as powerful as performing her doctoral lecture recital. 鈥淚 was surrounded by friends who had never been to a recital before and by family who have supported me forever,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was a moment I鈥檒l never forget.鈥�
What keeps her going? 鈥淢y parents,鈥� Brianna shared. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e always been there for me鈥攖hrough every challenge, every celebration. My success is theirs too.鈥�
That drive and passion have already propelled her into her dream career. In August,
she began teaching choir and Introduction to Music at Dyersburg State Community College鈥攁 role that has grown to include voice lessons, music appreciation, and the development
of a Music Emphasis degree. 鈥淚t was nerve-wracking at first,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut I used
my knowledge and enthusiasm to create something special. I feel incredibly lucky to
be doing what I love.鈥�
Brianna Reilly鈥檚 story shows the transformative power of education, the enduring influence of music, and the strength that comes from following your passion鈥攅specially when it鈥檚 hard. As she continues to shape the next generation of musicians and scholars, we鈥檙e proud to celebrate her accomplishments and the legacy she鈥檚 building.