A New Yorker and Floridian, Brianna Reilly (she/her) is Instructor of Music - Choir Director and Voice Instructor at Dyersburg State Community College. Her responsibilities include conducting the Dyersburg State Community Choir and College Choir, teach applied voice and introduction to music, and contributes to the growth of the college's music program. Additionally, she holds a DMA in Voice Performance from the University of Memphis, an MM from the University of Memphis, and a BM from Florida State University.

 

Brianna's work as a conductor encompasses sacred and secular repertoire, spirituals, folk arrangements, contemporary compositions, and popular music. She is particularly interested in creating meaningful ensemble experiences that bring together college students and community musicians while fostering musical growth, collaboration, and a sense of belonging.

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A versatile vocalist, Brianna has performed repertoire spanning opera, oratorio, art song, chamber music, sacred music, musical theatre, and contemporary works. She is particularly drawn to contemporary vocal music and song cycles and has performed as both a soloist and ensemble singer throughout her career. Her work as a vocalist informs her approach to choral conducting and teaching, with particular emphasis on healthy vocal technique, expressive communication, and the connection between individual vocal development and ensemble singing.

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As a scholar, Brianna's research encompasses vocal music, choral music, and community-based music education. Her doctoral research examined Ned Rorem’s song cycle Aftermath, exploring the relationship between Rorem’s Quaker and pacifist beliefs, his selection of poetry, and his musical style. Her current research investigates the importance of community choirs at the community-college level, particularly their contributions to identity and belonging, musical growth, community engagement, and institutional connections. This work was presented at the American Choral Directors Association Southern Region Conference. She is also engaged in interdisciplinary scholarship exploring connections between music and statistical analysis, with collaborative research accepted for presentation at the 2026 SACSCOC Annual Meeting.

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Her professional interests bring together conducting, vocal performance, pedagogy, and scholarship, with particular interest in the relationship between solo and choral singing and in collaborative work that connects music with other academic disciplines. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, National Association of Teachers of Singing, Tennessee Music Education Association, West Tennessee Vocal Music Educators, and National Association for Music Education.​