Alysha Brilla

Associate Professor

Affiliated Departments

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Alysha Brilla is a three-time JUNO-nominated songwriter, composer, music producer, audio engineer, and touring multi-instrumentalist whose groundbreaking work bridges global roots and contemporary soundscapes. As the 2024 Canadian Screen Award-nominated composer for the feature film The Queen of My Dreams, Brilla’s music has earned international acclaim for its emotional depth and cultural resonance.

As an associate professor in Berklee’s music production and engineering department, Brilla is committed to empowering the next generation of music creators through her unique approach to audio production, songwriting, and mentorship. Brilla also serves as the advisor for the Berklee chapter of We Are Moving the Needle, where she brings an equity-focused lens to audio technology, championing diversity and inclusion in the field.

A dynamic live performer and award-winning producer, Brilla offers production mentorship and consulting, drawing on her extensive career in international touring, film scoring, and collaborative projects with Grammy-winning talent. Whether in the studio, on stage, or speaking, Brilla infuses the spaces she embodies with a wealth of knowledge, passion, and creativity.

Career Highlights

Became one of the first self-produced female artists to receive a JUNO nomination for her debut album, marking a groundbreaking moment in Canadian music
Scored the feature film The Queen of My Dreams, earning a 2024 Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Original Score
Internationally tours as a performer, sharing stages with Grammy-winning artists and delivering dynamic, inclusive live shows that celebrate diverse musical traditions
Operates a studio where she produces and mixes music for diverse artists and composes for acclaimed film and TV projects
Delivers keynote speeches and participates in high-profile panels at SXSW, Folk Alliance International, and Iceland Airwaves, inspiring audiences worldwide
Member of the Recording Academy, Alliance for Women Film Composers, Screen Composers Guild of Canada, and Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences
Selected for Music Publishers Canada's Women in the Studio program in 2024, promoting gender equity and supporting women in audio production
Represented Canada as a Keychange EU artist, advocating for gender equity and cultural collaboration in the global music industry
Achieved over 20 million streams across music platforms with standout tracks like "Rescue," "Love," and "Centre"

Awards

Three-time JUNO Nominee
2024 Canadian Screen Awards, Best Original Score Nominee (The Queen of My Dreams)
2024 Women in Music Canada, Entrepreneur of the Year Honoree
2024 Women in the Studio Cohort by Music Publishers Canada
2022 Keychange Artist representing Canada, European Commission
2021 Best of Waterloo Region Awards, Best Local Artist/Band
2020 Waterloo Region Arts Awards, General Arts
2018 Independent Music Awards, Producer of the Year Award
2015 ANOKHI Awards, Musical Artist of the Year

In Their Own Words

In my work as a music producer, composer, and educator, I believe in the transformative power of sound to connect us to ourselves, each other, and the world around us. Music production is more than just technology—music is storytelling, culture, and emotion brought to life.

My goal is to create an inclusive space where creativity flourishes, where we challenge industry norms, and where every voice, especially those traditionally underrepresented, can find its place. Whether I’m in the studio, on stage, or in the classroom, I aim to inspire others to push boundaries, embrace authenticity, and use music as a force for personal and collective healing.

My work spans genres, cultures, and mediums, allowing me to guide students in navigating the complexities of the modern music and media ecosystem, and my teaching and learning philosophy is rooted in creating an inclusive space where students can push their creative boundaries and find their unique voices.

Having self-produced my debut album, which earned a JUNO nomination, I understand firsthand the challenges and magic of producing music independently.

My focus on bringing marginalized voices into the spotlight inspires my dedication to fostering gender parity in music production and audio engineering, a mission I am proud to continue as the advisor for Berklee’s chapter of We Are Moving the Needle.