Britton-René Collins | Zildjian Concert Orchestral Artist

Toronto-based percussionist Britton-René Collins finds passion in the art of contemporary percussion performance. A winner of the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition, Britton-René has dedicated her artistry to shaping a more inclusive community for all musicians to thrive in equally. She was awarded the Ambassador Prize for exceptional musicianship and demonstrating an active commitment to creating social change through her music. She recently launched a blog where she discusses her experiences in facing various challenges as a minority musician. Britton-René actively expands her knowledge and skills in a vast pool of contrasting genres, which she believes enhances her musicianship and performance techniques. Her experience includes studies of classical, contemporary, world, and new music. As an Orchestra US fellow, Britton-René strives to bring accessible music to underserved communities. She is also passionate about contributing to the growth of modern percussion repertoire, and her current projects include composing and commissioning new works for multi-percussion and marimba. Born in the United States, Britton-René began her instrumental training at the age of five. She has since received several scholarship awards and is currently completing her Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music (2017-2021). As an artist, Britton-René proudly endorses Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Zildjian Cymbals, and Marimba One instruments. Recent highlights include attending the soundSCAPE new music composition and performance exchange in Italy and being selected to appear as a soloist in upcoming concerto performances with symphony orchestras in the United States and Canada.