Encounter Emma Breen, a Modern-Day Music Pupil of the 21st Century
Emma Breen, a multi-talented individual with a passion for both music and research, is making waves in the academic and artistic worlds. Currently, she is applying for a doctoral program in trumpet at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with a focus on an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in cancer research and future directions for musicians.
Breen's journey began at Northwestern University, where she completed her bachelor's degree in music. During her time there, she worked for three years at the Pinkett Lab without taking any science classes. Her dedication and talent did not go unnoticed, as she was later offered a position at the SONIC/ATLAS lab during her senior year, where she collaborated with NASA's long-range space missions for a year.
Breen's current research at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine is contingent on her acceptance into the School of Music's doctoral program. If accepted, she plans to continue her work focused on the impact of cancer on musicians and ways to address it uniquely within the music industry.
Breen's achievements have not gone unrecognised. She has been awarded the distinguished Stanley Wilson Memorial Scholarship in Composition & Brass, the Mimi Alpert Feldman Scholarship, and has won the position of principal trumpet with the American Youth Symphony. Jens Lindemann, a distinguished professor of trumpet performance at UCLA, described Breen as "the most interesting talent" he has met in his 22 years at the university.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Breen has also demonstrated her musical prowess. She spent her summer playing with the Disney All-American College Band and has been accepted into both the Royal Academy of Music and The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
Breen's passion for cancer research was sparked by the death of her mentor, Roger Samuel, from cancer. This tragedy has driven her to use her unique skills to make a difference in the field. As she embarks on her doctoral journey, Breen is poised to continue breaking boundaries and making significant contributions in both music and cancer research.
Emma Breen's academic and artistic journey extends beyond music to science, as she delves into education-and-self-development opportunities related to cancer research. Her work at the SONIC/ATLAS lab with NASA's long-range space missions, despite not having science classes, serves as a testament to her wide-ranging interests, combining entertainment and science.
