Emily Bryant
Beginning Banjo
Faculty
Emily’s love for old-time music began when she was six years old, growing up in Floyd County, Kentucky and playing alongside her sister and dad in their family band. As a young girl, she was inspired by the loving community that welcomed her at Cowan. Her playing style is heavily influenced by the rhythmic playing of John Haywood and the melodic style of Jimmy McCown, who are both former mentors of hers. She is a former member of the Kentucky Opry Jr. Pros and can often be found harmonizing and playing alongside her sister, Meghan, on the Cowan stage. She recently graduated from Western Kentucky University, where she studied neuroscience, and she plans to attend occupational therapy school in the fall. As a future occupational therapist, she is very interested in therapeutic use of music and the benefits of music on brain health.