Briar (1992) is an accomplished freelance composer with over a decade of experience and a Masters of Musical Arts in composition from the New Zealand School of Music. A Greek-New Zealand composer and vocal performer, Briar is renowned for her diverse musical contributions across film, orchestral works, theatre music, songwriting, and production, with a distinctive vocal style that blends cultural richness and complexity. She is also an active vocalist, performing both locally and internationally with a wide range of ensembles and her own compositions.

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Her musical journey is deeply rooted in a lifelong passion for exploring music from various cultures, with a particular affinity for Greek music, which forms a core part of her identity. Briar’s works often explore dark, romantic, and folkloric themes, driven by her love for rich harmonic textures, ethereal timbres, and rhythmic depth.

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In 2023, Briar served as the Composer in Residence at the New Zealand School of Music, earning acclaim for her ambitious body of work completed during her time at the Douglas Lilburn Residence. Highlights of this period include the world premieres of her first orchestral piece Akri with Orchestra Wellington, and her second orchestral work, an arrangement of her song White Red Black, which she performed as a vocalist alongside John Psathas on piano. She also premiered Pegasus with the Bay of Plenty Symphonia Orchestra, and composed the original score for the 2023 Circa Theatre production Prima Facie. Additionally, she has written for smaller chamber ensembles, collaborating with esteemed classical performers such as Bridget Douglas and Alistair Fraser for Tierra Firma (solo flute and Taonga Pūoro), and Australian percussion virtuoso Claire Edwardes for Kyklos (solo vibraphone).

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Beyond her chamber music and orchestral pursuits, Briar is a dedicated songwriter and producer. Her music has been featured on several collaborative albums and EPs, including It's Already Tomorrow and Last Days of March, projects curated by her long-time mentor, John Psathas. Her song Only Time was a finalist in the prestigious Serj Tankian 7-Note Challenge album. Briar has also released her own electronic music, including her debut album Blue Anima. In 2023, she led a collaborative performance project with the innovative Moth Quartet, an improvisational string ensemble, accompanying her original guitar and vocal project Twinn Ethyr. This project was showcased in 2024 at the Classical Valley Chamber Music Festival in Kelowna, Canada, and a subsequent album titled 'Strange Clouds', released in 2024 under the record label, Whatnot Records.

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Briar’s multifaceted career continues to push boundaries, merging diverse influences and genres while maintaining a deep connection to her cultural roots.