Meet Autumn Maria Reed

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Autumn Maria Reed. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Autumn Maria, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?

I still struggle to this day communicating with other people!
It was so much harder when I was younger because other people felt so unpredictable.
And to a timid child, that felt unsafe. Even as an adult, this still makes me feel uneasy.

But as I got older, I met more people and recognized that not everyone has bad intentions.
Conversely, most people know that I don’t mean them any hard, even when I’m socially awkward!

Letting people talk about things that they’re passionate about is a great icebreaker.
Same with me! I can go on and go about trivia about music, nostalgic film/TV, science, and psychology.
These relatable and harmless topics make the speaker and the audience feel at ease!

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My name is Autumn Maria Reed!

I am a composer who primarily writes music for orchestras. Occasionally, I may write music for film or theater, but lately, my work is for orchestral music. I am passionate about mental health and use music as a way to heal.

I composed an orchestral work called “Mental Health Suite.” It has been performed live many times on two continents. The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra led by Maestro Andrew Sewell will record it as part of an audio project, “Musical Landscapes in Color,” curated by Dr. William Banfield.

I just finished the score and songs for an upcoming musical documentary short film, Curio (TBA) by Daytime Emmy-nominated Prof. Danielle Bainbridge.

I play double bass and now cello with the Black String Triage Ensemble and Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra led by Dayvin Hallmon. This ensemble uses string orchestra music as a peacekeeping mission for the areas (disproportionally Black and Latin) affected by traumatic events in Milwaukee. So, please go and check out both groups!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

This is hard to narrow down because my list keeps changing!

But at the time of my response, the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are:

1) Resilience — Focus on your goals and ignore destructive criticism.
2) Integrity — Hold others accountable when they do wrong, including your friends, family, and yourself. Follow through with this in real life.
3) Advocates — Find people who will vouch for you when you’re not in the room; and vouch for others, too!

I am a composer by trade, yet none of these were composer-specific. The quality of one’s character or value of their worth is never determined by their profession.

Now, skills on how to be a composer?
Short answer: Write music and get others to play it!
But, there are so many more steps. Feel free to reach out if you’d like a more thorough answer!

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

I am someone who has been transparent about my struggles with living with mental illness. In hindsight, I wonder if disclosing publicly was helpful or a hindrance.

The sad reality is that most people still don’t understand mental illness, especially trauma, despite a myriad of depictions across a myriad of media. People don’t want to face these challenges and symptoms when they impact a friend or a relative. But people who live with them have zero but to face them every day, often with little to no help.

This is how I felt for most of my life. Thankfully, I’m blessed to have access to have healthcare, pursue what I love, and have a great group of friends and family.

Yet, I’m troubled with this system, knowing that others are in pain. I can’t fix this alone. None of us can.
So, the solution is to do right by each other, just ’cause. Nothing more or less.

I think about the song recorded by Michael Jackson, “Man in the Mirror,” written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard and produced by Quincy Jones.
I won’t quote the lyrics here, but look up the chorus and hone in on the hook!

That’s what I can try to do every day.
Something creative or having humanity.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Main Headshot AND Piano Photo by Michelle Kujawski.

Graduation Photo by Autumn Maria Reed.

Madison Area Music Association Awards Photo by Autumn Maria Reed.

Black/White Cello Photo by Gina M. Gomez.

Group Photo from ROCO. Photographer Unknown.

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