Olivia Briley (Accepting Students)
B.M. Jazz Studies, U.N.T.
Olivia Briley is a vocalist, composer, arranger, and educator based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Olivia holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas. She enjoys performing in a variety of musical styles, including jazz, classical, pop, folk, neo-soul, Brazilian jazz, and many others.
Her passion for jazz brought her to UNT’s prestigious jazz studies program, where she performed with the award-winning vocal jazz ensemble UNT Jazz Singers under the direction of Jennifer Barnes and studied jazz voice with Rosana Eckert. During her time at UNT she had the opportunity to explore many musical pursuits, including spending time in the studio with Jazz Singers, student directing the Avenue C vocal jazz ensemble, singing with the 5 O’Clock Lab Band, and arranging and performing her own original music.
Olivia began her musical training at the age of 4 as a choir member at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, San Antonio. With the choir, she has sung in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Exeter Cathedral in Exeter, England, Durham Cathedral in Durham, UK, and St. Alban’s Cathedral in London, England. She has appeared in Carmen with San Antonio Opera and in La Bohème with the University of Texas at San Antonio. She began playing cello at the age of 9 and piano at the age of 15, and still enjoys keeping up with various instruments. She regularly self-accompanies on piano and has experience in both classical and jazz piano.
Olivia believes that music can make a real difference in peoples’ lives. In lessons, she emphasizes the importance of proper vocal technique and vocal health, and seeks to bring out the individual artistry within each student. She welcomes students aged as early as 3 year old to adults. Her versatility encompasses laying a sold foundation for young beginners to helping out rising students to get to the next musical level. Olivia expects her students to bring their best effort and to keep an open mind and positive attitude. She hopes to share her love of music with her students and support them fully in each of their musical journeys!
