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The vitality of arts and creative expression in any community can be weighed by the quality, aspiration and drive of its youngest performers. Two young Huntsville singer\/songwriters, Briar Summers and Sawyer Lance, are developing and creating music that is fresh and exciting. Their talent, hard work and goals are inspirational for any who might choose to build a future and career in the music business\u2014a business that is both highly competitive and demanding. Above all, they are extraordinary examples of the focused, patient effort required to achieve success.<\/p>\n
Briar Summers is a singer, a competitive dancer, a former figure skater, a stage performer\u2014operatic and Broadway\u2014a pianist, a songwriter and the 2017 recipient of ‘The Bill’ award for performing arts<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n In 2017, at the age of 13, Briar recorded her first album, Roller Coaster, <\/em>with Scott Pelling at Explosive Device Records<\/a><\/span>. The album is a collection of songs that speaks to themes in a surprisingly mature and astute manner for a young writer.<\/p>\n Briar has been performing live steadily since the release of that album, while continuing to broaden her skill and talents. She is enrolled in French Immersion classes at Huntsville High School, while studying piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has recently begun to deepen her studies with Sara Spring, an accomplished composer and performer, who also lives in Huntsville. Briar is also involved in competitive dance. All of these skills will be on full display at her lead performance in Newsies – The Musical<\/em><\/a><\/span> at the Algonquin Theatre, November 27 to December 1, 2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Given all of this activity, it is understandable why she might call her first album Roller Coaster<\/em>! Briar remains a committed songwriter, collecting ideas daily through her experiences and from inspirations in her reading. Briar takes considerable pride in her songs. She has begun recording her second album, with the helpful support of Drs. John and Sharon Koncan.<\/p>\n The new album is a source of great joy for Briar, not only because she has progressed, in her estimation, as a songstress but also because she has written ten or more new songs for the recording. The songs expand her creativity as well as her approach to universal themes such as love and empowerment. Resolve, self-empowerment, and never doubting yourself are important subjects that Briar Summers believes are in need of expression.<\/p>\n Briar has attracted some of the best musicians she can find: notably Miranda Mulholland, a much sought-after violinist and successful musical force herself, Jamie Bestwick on bass, Logan Coey on drums, Marina Tusz on cello and Rob Currie on guitar.<\/p>\n The working title for the new album is From the Ashes<\/em>, since it’s been some time since the first album. Briar feels the songs are richer and perhaps more demanding in tone than her previous work, allowing her to expand and reach a larger potential audience. Briar was mentored by Kandle,<\/strong> an established recording artist, who connected with Briar through the Snow Lake Mentorship Initiative.<\/strong><\/a><\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n Briar is determined to go as far as she can in her chosen art, songwriting, but is excited by all the possibilities her talent provides her. \u201cEach day is worth something,\u201d she explains when asked how she prepares herself to stay the course and move toward her objectives. Like her musical heroes, Serena Ryder, Kandle, and Angie Nussey, Briar feels that success is measured in progress toward achievement, making a difference, and giving a message to others and to yourself.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/media-doppleronline-ca.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com\/2019\/10\/Briar-Summers-Stonewalls.jpeg\")
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