Since completing her Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts Honours at the James Morrison Academy of Music (JMA), Brittany Van Zeil has been working as a professional Trombonist.
During her time at JMA, Brittany primarily studied Bass and Tenor Trombone alongside this she took second study piano and drum lessons. After majoring in composition she won the ‘Excellence in Composition Award’ for her year. Her composition and music knowledge spans from Afro Cuban and traditional African music to all styles of Jazz through to traditional Cuban to Latin Jazz. During her time she was mentored and taught by Jazz greats such as Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), Ross Irwin (Composition), James Morrison, Mat Jodrell, Carl Mackey, and Angela Davis.
After graduating in 2018, Brittany spent working as a Trombonist in the orchestra on cruise ships for Royal Caribbean. This involved performing most nights in the theatre onboard. The shows varied from production shows with singers and dancers, to big band, Latin and traditional music to accompanying pop/rock entertainers. This all vastly contrasts with Brittany’s earlier classical music studies, where she worked on a repertoire of AMEB grade 8 equivalent, of varying classical styles on Bass Trombone.
She has taught instrumental lessons, both individually and with small groups and privately. She has also worked with larger groups, including running band workshops and sectionals.