Complete artist bios are on the way! In the meantime, we invite you to get to know our featured artist.
Featured Artist: Briana Robell, Soprano
Briana Robell has been a staple of the group since our first concert in 2009, when she was SACRA/PROFANA’s featured soloist at age 19. Briana’s music career began at the age of 6 studying classical piano with Dina Khosh in Seattle, Washington. The following year she won first place in The Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside, an important piano competition and festival in Washington state, and went on to win first place in that festival in each of the subsequent six years. Ms. Robell also received Honorable Mention at the Western States Piano Scholarship Concerto Competition for the Washington State Music Teachers Association in 2002.
Ms. Robell’s vocal studies began at the age of eight under Jackie Koreski in Seattle, Washington. She became a Cantor in the Archdiocese of Seattle and at age 10, became a member of the Schola Cantorum choir at St. James Cathedral. At age 12 Ms. Robell was accepted into St. James Cathedral’s Jubilate Choir and later became cantor in the office of liturgy and music in that same church. She performed in Annie, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and in Les Misérables with the Hi-Liners Theatre.
Ms. Robell attended the Academy of Our Lady of Peace High School in San Diego where she continued to study voice. She performed leading roles at the high school in Guys and Dolls, Once Upon a Mattress, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Beauty and the Beast, and West Side Story. She served as assistant musical director for her high school’s production of Grease.
Ms. Robell is currently a senior at the University of San Diego, pursuing a music major with an emphasis in composition. She continues to study piano at the university under Dr. Kay Etheridge, and recently performed Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor with USD’s Orchestra. Her other interests include business administration in which field she is pursuing a minor at USD. She continues to sing and cantor at the Immaculata Parish and at USD’s Founders Chapel. Currently, Ms. Robell serves as a piano accompanist at Sacred Heart Parish in Coronado and on the Naval Base in Coronado. After graduating in January 2012, Ms. Robell plans to pursue both a career as well as a Masters Degree in Music.
Briana was also the featured soloist in SACRA/PROFANA’s recent performances of Steve Reich’s Proverb. Click here to view the video. Visit Briana’s website at brianarobell.com.
