Popular music student builds community through music – ASU News

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2025 graduates.
Breanna “Bri” Stephens, graduating this month with a Bachelor of Arts in music (popular music), was named the 2025 Outstanding Entrepreneur in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Stephens’ work builds bridges across disciplines and communities and highlights the dynamic environment of music production, digital collaboration and creative entrepreneurship. Examples of her projects are available on the Brasma YouTube channel.
“As a popular music student, I learned that, in most cases, art is made from community, not individuality,” Stephens said.
“Bri is one of the most driven and multitalented students in the Popular Music Program,” said Erin Barra-Jean, assistant professor and director of the program. “She consistently pushes the boundaries of what she’s capable of, approaching every challenge with ambition, curiosity and a genuine love for growth. I have no doubt that Bri will go on to achieve incredible things as an alum, and I’m proud to have her representing our program.”
Stephens’ capstone project “Remix Roulette” brought together eight producers from around the United States to collaborate on a collection of remixes, derivative of one another’s work. She managed all aspects of the large-scale project including artist management, video/art commissions, merchandising, a fully executed promotional campaign, and a multimedia production and live YouTube streamed event.
“Bri embodies persistence and grit, adaptability, creative vision, strong networking skills and a true passion for building community,” said C. Samuel Peña, clinical assistant professor and assistant director of the program.
Stephens received the New American University Provost’s Scholarship, which she said allowed her to attend school and afford college expenses without stress over finances.
“It’s been an enormous help, and I’m very grateful I was given this scholarship,” she said.
Here, she shares more about her college journey.
Question: What is something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Answer: Before coming to ASU, I spent so much time by myself in my room making music, only listening to one to two bands that I heard off the internet. While that was fun, I wasn’t inspired by anything, but purely working off of the limited scope of music that I set for myself. The people in this major show their musical interests in such different ways, and it opened my eyes to so many different forms of music creation I would not have ever thought of on my own.
Q: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study popular music? 
A: I found myself in a predicament at the end of my senior year of high school, where I really loved the fine arts but didn’t know what direction to head. I had become a section leader of a highly skilled choir and was the lead of several musical productions at my school. I knew that my journey as a musician needed to be supported by a program that didn’t just want students who knew their scales but were truly interested in “creating” music.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: My parents and I discovered that ASU had a newer Popular Music Program, and with days left to apply to college, I decided to take a chance at it.  ASU has provided me with so much that I am glad that I made the spur-of-the-moment decision to apply.
Q: Which professor or faculty member taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Jorge Costa, 1,000%. He is a kind man that not only has a high respect for music, but for people. I have had a fear of the music industry that you must step over others and stretch your morals to obtain success. He has shown me how far you can go while still being kind, honest and amazing at your craft.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: School is so much of your life up to this point. When you think about the friends and key memories you have made, and the biggest achievements you have accomplished, most of them are likely connected to school. Remember that life is not about school, it is about people. Go out there and have fun, and shape your life in the image of your dreams and desires.
Q: What was your favorite spot on campus?
A: The Chipotle down the street from my dorm.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: Just to keep working and making music. Wherever my life takes me, as long as I am still doing those, I will be fine.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: It would be one of two options. My first choice would be to put it towards efforts to fund our teachers and schools better, since the work they do and the importance they have on our future generations greatly exceeds the income they currently receive. And second, I would put it towards independent funds that would provide aspiring musicians the resources they would need to get their music off the ground.
 
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