Carrie Brannen

Carrie Brannen, cellist, is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where she earned her Master of Music degree in performance under the instruction of Astrid Schween, cellist of the Juilliard String Quartet, in 2016. She also holds a Bachelor of Music degree in performance from Western Michigan University (2013), and an Associate of Music degree in music education from Grand Rapids Community College (2011).

Ms. Brannen has appeared as a soloist with the Vintage Parlor Orchestra, Benzie Area Symphony Orchestra, and Kent Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a substitute cellist with the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra, and Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Brannen has also been featured on Interlochen Public Radio as a guest on both the “In Studio A with” and “Kids’ Commute” programs.

A dedicated music educator, Ms. Brannen has served as an outreach instructor for the Strings to Schools program sponsored by St. Cecilia Music Center, and specializes in offering private lessons, masterclasses, chamber coaching, and orchestra sectionals to students of all ages and skill levels in the greater Grand Rapids, MI area. She also works part time as a string repair technician for Meyer Music, having joined the company in August 2021.