Artist Profile: Bryce Robinson
Bryce Robinson is a junior here at OHS, and also a passionate musician and singer. Geeta Shankar learns more about Bryce's work in the interview below.
Pixel Journal: When did you start singing?
Bryce Robinson: I’ve been singing pretty much as long as I can remember. When I was tiny I used to be a big drummer (I drummed on anything and everything I could get my hands on, which frequently included pot and pan drum sets), which got me into music in general. I had a friend in a local church choir who got me to join, and since then I’ve been singing pretty much every day of my life.
PJ: What genres do you sing?
BR: My focus currently is classical music, both through choir and as a soloist, but we mix it up quite a bit. Between the two (plus honor choirs) I’ve sung all kinds of stuff, ranging from South African tribal songs to Bach and pretty much everything in between. I also have some fun with pop music, as my family can attest. Like I said, I’m constantly singing, so most song’s I’ve heart I’ve sung to some extent.
PJ: Who are your favorite musicians?
BR: I’m not good with favorites, but one of my idols is Billy Joel. Other than that, my tastes change from day to day and mood to mood.
PJ: Why him in particular?
BR: Like I said, Billy Joel is a favorite, also Frank Sinatra. Honestly don’t really know what it is about them, I just really like their music and in the case of Billy Joel he’s just got a great character to him. Plus, piano and singing together was kind of my thing for a while.
PJ: What are some of your proudest moments?
BR: Tough one because there are so many. My first solo, performing at the Hollywood bowl, performing at Disney concert hall, touring… Pretty much any moment I’m singing is a great moment.
PJ: Why do you play guitar and piano?
BR: Honestly, I think every singer should learn piano, if not more instruments. It changes how you think about notes, intervals, everything, and the visual of the piano is super helpful to help me think out melodies on the fly. Also, being able to work through a piece with the piano is crucial.
PJ: Any thoughts about your future?
BR: I get questions like this (as all juniors/seniors do) and all I can say is I have no idea. I don’t know what I want to do yet, but I know music is going to be a part of me no matter what. Hopefully choir or acapella in college, then after that who knows. Maybe I’ll become an opera star, maybe I’ll sing at karaoke nights, who knows, but only one way to find out.
PJ: Do you use your musical interests to advocate for anything?
BR: Honestly, I don’t really use music for any political goals. I do it because I love it, and because at the end of the day the people I get to interact with are my kind of people, whether I love them or hate them, the music binds us. At the end of an honor choir (which I’m currently in the middle of) I have a new family of singers and artists who, no matter my personal feelings towards any of them, have become a part of me, and I’ve become a part of them. It sounds really hippy/corny/whatever, but it’s one of the biggest reasons I love music: not for its influential power on others, but for the community it creates in the performers.
PJ: What’s the biggest impact your music has had on people?
BR: The biggest impact I (and my choir) have had is on our tours. In Alaska, Nova scotia, and Newfoundland, we brought music to communities which don’t have the artistic opportunities we have in LA. In Cuba and South Africa, we were ambassadors of the United States. That was especially true for Cuba as we came right when the boarders were first being opened. Everywhere we go we change people’s lives (my choir director’s words), and I like to think we change them for the better, whether through our music, our presence, or our personalities.
PJ: Do you have any advice?
BR: Just do it. Music is one of those things that you can do to any level you want, from singing in the shower to performing on the big stage. Either way, if you love it, make it happen to whatever extent makes you happy. Also, for fellow singers out there, try choir. Really. I know it’s got a whole nerd whatever around it but the bonds you form with each other are some of the strongest I’ve felt.