ONE NOTE AT A TIME :
Callie Brennan ’ 12 on Making Music
FROM THE ARTS
The summer before ninth grade , Callie Brennan ’ 12 attended the Portland String Quartet ’ s summer quartet course held at St . Joseph College . After two weeks of daily instruction with incredible mentors , and an intense rehearsal schedule , she realized she wanted to be a professional musician . She remembers thinking “ If there is any way I can make this my lifestyle , I will .” Close to a decade after her graduation from Thornton Academy , Brennan has achieved that dream . She serves as the Concertmaster of the Spartanburg Philharmonic , the Principal second of the West Virginia Symphony , a section violin of the Colorado Music Festival , and Principal first violin of the Fort Collins Symphony .
Her journey to the stages on which she now performs has been full of adventure , joy , and challenge . She attributes her success to years of study and practice , which began with her parents ' commitment to supporting her love of music . “ My parents were endlessly supportive of my passion for music .” This included their decision to transition from homeschooling so that she could have the experience of being a student musician at Thornton Academy .
Much of Brennan ’ s time at TA was spent in Garland Auditorium with her “ family .” “ TA showed me the delicacies of collaboration and teamwork , and also introduced me to a more structured lifestyle than I was used to .. As a member of the orchestra I also learned valuable leadership skills , which I use on a daily basis as most of my current positions involve some level of leadership .”
Brennan took all that she learned at TA and launched headlong into the life of a professional musician . She earned an undergraduate degree in music performance at the University of Colorado , studying at the Sydney Conservatory when she traveled to Australia as a student for eight months . After graduation , she was married and moved to London , England to pursue graduate degrees in performance . “ Living abroad was amazing , challenging , terrifying , frustrating , exhilarating , fulfilling , and agonizing , all at the same time , and getting those degrees was one of the most difficult endeavors I ’ ve ever ( will ever ?) take on . But I would do it again in a heartbeat .”
16 Story by Katie Beane · Photos courtesy of Callie Brennan ' 12