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.​ 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.

​

In 2023, Briar was Composer in Residence at the New Zealand School of Music, completing a major body of work at the Douglas Lilburn Residence. Highlights include the world premiere of her first orchestral work Akri with Orchestra Wellington, later performed in Seattle by the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra; an orchestral arrangement of her song White Red Black, which she performed as vocalist alongside John Psathas; Pegasus with the Bay of Plenty Symphonia Orchestra; and the original score for Circa Theatre’s 2023 production Prima Facie. She has also written extensively for chamber ensembles.

​

Alongside her compositional work, Briar is an active songwriter and producer. Her music has appeared on collaborative albums and EPs including It’s Already Tomorrow and Last Days of March, curated by her long-time mentor John Psathas, and her song Only Time was selected as a finalist for Serj Tankian’s 7-Note Challenge album. She has released original electronic music under her own name, including the album Blue Anima, and leads the genre-blurring project Twinn Ethyr, which she developed in collaboration with the Moth Quartet. The project was presented in 2024 at the Classical Valley Chamber Music Festival in Kelowna, Canada, and resulted in the 2024 album Strange Clouds (Whatnot Records).​​