Neara Russell '10, "Roses and Thorns"

By Adam Olenn August 22, 2011 Composer, pianist, and vocalist Neara Russell '10 grew up singing to cows in her home state of Wisconsin, but she didn't stay in the cornfield long. While still in high school, she was featured on National Public Radio for her achievements as a classical pianist. She then went on to win a prestigious full-tuition Presidential scholarship to Berklee, where she majored in composition and performance. Russell has won an ASCAP Plus award for her original music and recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career as an artist and studio musician. She is a keyboardist and background singer for Sony/JRecords pop star BC Jean, with whom she has appeared on The View and Access Hollywood. Her eclectic, self-produced release Noise and Silence has garnered rave reviews in the press.