We recently connected with Bryan Milstead and have shared our conversation below.
Bryan, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
From a young age, I remember being surrounded by music no matter where I went, whether it was R&B on the car ride to school, classical repertoire at after-school violin lessons, or cheesy 2010s rock emanating from the living room TV. Cousins and extended family members were coming over for some weekend fun? Hype music on the wireless speaker. Extravagant Lunar New Year or Christmas celebrations? Faint jazz on the radio station. Though other aspects of my life were unpredictable at best (third-grade math homework) and downright chaotic at worst (navigating the turmoil of elementary school drama), music was truly a constant in my life.
That same passion for music carried on into my middle-school days, and sustained me through some tough times during the pandemic. When school went virtual and society went into isolation, music was the lifeline that connected me and my peers. I like to think of how we were like notes on a staff — each unique in appearance and personalities — yet forming a beautiful, multifaceted melody. We shared playlists, ideas regarding our favorite albums, and kept the spirit alive through virtual concerts. In these moments, our musical desires weren’t fulfilled by an audience or external praise, but rather the environment of friendliness we were cultivating.
Around this time is when I also continued to stick with the violin and dedicated hours of daily practice in order to refine my craft. Once eighth grade rolled around and school returned to a semi-normal state, I finally had the opportunity to apply my skills in Orchestra class. Serving as Concertmaster Violinist (I promise the title isn’t as pretentious as it seems) in eighth grade gave me the boost of confidence I needed to continue with arguably my favorite extracurricular activity. Just as simple notes and melodies make up hour-long symphonies, each rehearsal, though seemingly insignificant, was a part of my larger journey into self-discovery through music.
On that note, I am now a junior in high school whose enthusiasm for music continues to intensify. It’s the refuge I seek when schoolwork becomes unbearably burdensome. They aren’t lying when they say junior year is the hardest year, but practicing the violin and learning repertoire from my favorite composers makes it a little bit less monotonous.
It’s one of the same reasons why I founded a “Musical Memories” nonprofit chapter in Harrisonburg, VA. Students my age deserve a chance to showcase their talents and foster meaningful music experiences in the community. Frankly, I love being able to get together with super talented high school instrumentalists and perform at some really cool events! Musical Memories allows both the performer AND audience member to feel fully present in the moment; like this insurmountable weight has been lifted off of our shoulders.
Ultimately, both parties are given the freedom to let their creativity flow and understand that music transcends something way bigger than us.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Here at the Harrisonburg chapter of Musical Memories, we strive to provide meaningful experiences for our local schools senior citizen homes, and other community hotspots through extensive outreach, whether it’s chamber concerts or free tutoring sessions. We firmly believe in the power of music to positively shape a community as more than just a hobby, but a means of connection that transcends socioeconomic barriers, cultural backgrounds, and past experiences.
Our website (https://sites.google.com/view/musical-memories-harrisonburg/) is meant to provide free resources to musicians/music enthusiasts all across Harrisonburg, such as regional orchestras, local concerts, academic opportunities, music entertainment sources, and much more!
We are comprised of a seven-person executive board who are all orchestral musicians/former musicians at Rocktown High School: Bryan Duong Milstead (violinist, founder and president), Rawan Shakir (cellist, social media manager and PR coordinator), Leyara Hall (violist, secretary), Grace Daniels (violinist/multi-instrumentalist, general exec. board member), Elise Escobar-Alvarez (violinist/general exec. board member), Ayana Udstuen (bassist, PR coordinator), and Angel Montoya-Barrios (violinist/oboist, general exec. board member). Our chapter frequently recruits local student musicians to play for upcoming events, be it our fellow musicians at Rocktown High School, other local high schools, or whoever seeks to join us in our initiative for music as a catalyst for change.
You can also visit us @musicalmemories23_harrisonburg on Instagram! At the time of this interview, we’ve had six performances across Harrisonburg, at venues like the local library and senior centers. We are currently in the midst of planning several events that pertain to the seasons of fall and winter, so be on the lookout for those. 🙂
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
If you are someone interested in starting a nonprofit chapter, or seeking to get involved in ANY sort of service-based initiative, please make sure you exhibit the following three qualities: integrity, compassion, and collaboration. The first one is of utmost importance — without legitimacy and the will to take accountability, nothing truly fruitful will be accomplished. You’ll have a foundationless organization where core values are replaced by banalities. To uphold integrity, you must establish a clear mission and vision for what you are trying to achieve. This will guide both you and your coworkers (or should I say, co-volunteers) through decision-making at every level.
Leading by example is another way to uphold integrity — don’t expect things from other people if you are not willing to hold yourself to that same standard.
Furthermore, be a good human being. 🙂 I know that seems obvious, but sometimes our mind becomes clouded by preconceived notions of someone. Please recognize that everyone has different life experiences and cultural perspectives, which is what makes us so amazing in the first place. I encourage you to continue extending empathy and understanding to others, even outside of volunteer opportunities.
And now, for the glue that holds my Musical Memories nonprofit chapter together: collaboration. I’ve found that involving high school board members, volunteers, and school faculty in our decision-making processes has allowed us to exercise better judgment. Not only that, collaboration reinforces the friendships between me and my peers, which then leads to all of us wanting to see one another succeed. It’s a positive feedback loop from there!
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I find that our minds can be quite chaotic. Thus, it is important to tune out these negative thoughts and focus on what really matters: the present moment. I try to ground myself by focusing on what I can control, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and letting myself sit with any suppressed emotions. Often, I turn to music (i.e., playing the violin or listening to a favorite piece) to help calm my mind and regain clarity. Music reminds me that even in chaos, there’s a euphony just waiting to occur.
During our performances and outreach opportunities, Musical Memories – Harrisonburg hopes to provide that same sense of tranquility. Notes often speak louder than words, and can acknowledge feelings that are hard to express.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/musical-memories-harrisonburg/
- Instagram: @musicalmemories23_harrisonburg
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
