Inspiring the Next Generation
Bryony Gibson-Cornish’s journey from Rangi Ruru, where she studied from 2006 to 2009, to The Juilliard School in New York, the Royal College of Music in London, and becoming a member of the Marmen Quartet is nothing short of inspiring. Her path to becoming a full-time professional musician is a testament to dedication, hard work, and a deep passion for music. Stu Munro caught up with Bryony recently, to discuss her pathway, inspiration and love for music, and some tips for aspiring musicians.
As a student at Rangi Ruru, Bryony always knew she wanted to pursue music, but it wasn’t until later in her undergraduate studies that she decided to focus on the viola. Encouraged by a talented violinist she had met in New Zealand, she considered studying in the United States, ultimately earning a Fulbright Scholarship to attend the prestigious Juilliard School.
Studying at Juilliard was a pivotal moment for Bryony. “At the time, I didn’t even know where The Juilliard School was. I just knew it was this magical school somewhere in America where so many great musicians studied, and I never thought I was good enough to go there,” she recalls. With support from her family and various scholarships, she was able to make her dream of studying in the United States a reality. But her journey didn’t stop there. After Juilliard, Bryony decided to move to London to further her career. She followed her younger brother’s example—he had started studying in London and quickly gained attention, getting a call to play with the London Symphony Orchestra. Bryony made the move, determined to build a career as a chamber musician.
One of the defining moments in Bryony’s career was her refusal to leave the Royal College of Music after graduation. “Usually, when you graduate, they tell you to leave and start your career, but I said, ‘I want to stay!’ And it worked out for me,” she says. She became an assistant teacher to her professor and, in 2021, was appointed as a full-time professor. Another significant step was her joining the Marmen Quartet. Moving from a student quartet to a professional one is no easy task, but Bryony’s determination and the group’s hard work led to their success in major competitions, including the Banff International String Quartet Competition, which is regarded as the Olympics for string quartets. This win boosted their international career, securing concert opportunities, residencies, and management representation worldwide.
Reflecting on her time at Rangi Ruru, Bryony speaks fondly of the way the school encouraged her to aim high and dream big. “Rangi Ruru always gave me the sense that anything was possible, and it encouraged me to aim high,” she says. She attributes much of her success to the high-quality academic and musical education she received, as well as the encouragement to play multiple instruments, including percussion, jazz piano, and voice. Janet Kingsbury, the Director of Music, encouraged me to play lots of different instruments. That really broadened my horizons and helped me understand what it means to be a well-rounded musician,” she adds. This holistic musical education shaped her into the versatile musician she is today. Bryony says she was “obsessed with doing everything” at Rangi Ruru and continued that drive throughout her studies at Juilliard.
For current students considering a career in music, Bryony offers wise advice: “Be ready to dedicate your life to music. Even if you have talent, which is, of course, important, you still need to be prepared to put in the hours.” She emphasises that music is not just a job—it’s a lifestyle. Aspiring musicians should aim to gain as many performance opportunities as possible to become comfortable on stage. She also reminds students that being a musician involves more than playing an instrument. “You need to learn the history behind the music, analyse scores, and zoom out to see the bigger picture. It’s about becoming a complete musician, not just focusing on the technical aspects of playing.”
During a previous visit to Rangi Ruru, Bryony experienced a special full-circle moment. “The last time I was here, seven years ago, I met a Year 7 student named Juliet Park. I remember telling all the girls, ‘If you practise really hard, maybe someday you can come and study with me in London.’ This year, Juliet will be doing just that. It’s such a cool moment for both of us.”
Mentorship has played a significant role in Bryony’s career, and she stresses the importance of having role models and mentors at every stage. At Rangi Ruru, Janet was a huge influence, instilling a sense of curiosity and encouraging her to explore all aspects of music. Other mentors, not only shaped her musical skills but also taught her valuable lessons about teaching and being a good person. “They taught me what it means to be a good teacher and a good person,” Bryony says. Another pivotal mentor was Lawrence Power, a violist she admired growing up. After moving to London, Bryony had the opportunity to play in a masterclass with him, and they have since maintained a close professional relationship.
As a member of the Marmen Quartet, Bryony and her colleagues have developed a strong foundation of communication and mutual respect, which they credit for their success. “There’s a joke about being married to three other people, and honestly, it’s pretty accurate,” she says. “Like in a marriage, you have to look after your relationships with one another. You need empathy, understanding, and good communication to make it work.” In 2021, the quartet underwent two member changes, which allowed the group to reflect on their values and adopt the three crucial pillars that now guide them: love, trust, and respect.
Balancing her roles as both a performer and a teacher is no small task, but Bryony finds great fulfilment in both. She loves the challenge of performing the same works repeatedly and discovering new aspects of the music each time. “That kind of constant exploration keeps things exciting for me, and I love communicating with the audience,” she says. She also deeply values the opportunity to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of musicians, helping them develop not only their technical skills but also their broader career aspirations.
Bryony continues to push the boundaries of her craft, motivated by both her colleagues and the music itself. “There’s always a new piece to discover or a new aspect of an old piece to explore. Every day is an opportunity to get better,” she says. Recently, she secured the use of a 1610 Amati viola, an extraordinary instrument that constantly teaches her new things. “Playing on this instrument feels like playing on a living thing—it has so much history, and it teaches me something new every day.”
Looking back, Bryony wishes she had learnt earlier to enjoy the small things along the way. As a student, she was always focused on the next big goal, often overlooking the little moments that make the journey special. She encourages current students to “take joy in the small achievements” and to appreciate every step of the way.
Bryony recently visited New Zealand to take part in the At the World’s Edge festival (AWE) in Central Otago, and visited Rangi Ruru for a day in Term 3, including rehearsing and playing a concert for the community in the Merivale Lane Theatre. Thank you to Bryony for sharing her story, and her amazing talent with us all.
