Creatives in Practice: Brandi Main

CFA's Manager of Graduate Student Services shares her joy in teaching piano and violin and frequently performing with the New England Film Orchestra and other Boston-based groups

Headshot by Rebekah Kroesing

Community Engagement

CREATIVES IN PRACTICE: BRANDI MAIN

CFA’s Manager of Graduate Student Services shares her joy in teaching piano and violin and frequently performing with the New England Film Orchestra and other Boston-based groups.

August 20, 2026

One thing that gravitates the next generation of artists to Boston University College of Fine Arts? Knowing that their professors, advisors, and mentors are also working artists, gaining real-world experience and bringing that back into the classroom through their curriculum, lessons, and talks. In CFA’s Creatives in Practice series, your favorite CFA faculty and staff members share the work they’re doing off campus, locally, nationally, and globally.

As Manager of Graduate Student Services at Boston University College of Fine Arts, Brandi Main‘s top priority is providing resources and support to graduate-level music, theatre, and visual arts students. Coordinating events as part of CFA’s Artist Wellbeing Series and managing the graduate student newsletter are some of Brandi’s day-to-day tasks at CFA. She’s also a first-generation college graduate and a Terrier F1RSTS Advocate through the Newbury Center at BU.

Outside of her job at BU, Brandi is also a proud violin and piano teacher and performs in solo and chamber settings all around the Boston area. A believer that “you never know where your path will lead you,” Brandi recently spoke with CFA about her professional engagements beyond the College and the joy she is feeling along the way as she dives into her passions of arts administration, teaching, and performing.

Q&A WITH BRANDI MAIN

CFA: Brandi, thank you for all you do for our students. We’d love to know more about your work outside of CFA. Where do you perform often?

Main: I frequently perform with the New England Film Orchestra, Cape Ann Symphony, Abilities Dance Boston, Melrose Symphony, Quincy Symphony, in solo or chamber settings at private weddings, corporate events, and more. I have been asked a handful of times to fill in as concertmaster for the Quincy Symphony and the Melrose Symphony when needed, and it’s wonderful to be back in that seat now and then. I also just started performing with the Firebird Pops Orchestra.

One particularly fun experience is performing with the New England Film Orchestra when we get to wear costumes that fit the theme of our show. We performed a Star Wars concert last year where I dressed up as Princess Leia. Every Halloween concert, I wear a different costume – one year my partner Taylor Stobinski (cellist) and I dressed up as Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and we won the orchestra costume contest! This past year, I dressed up as Snow White. We are always encouraged to dress up, which is one of the things that makes playing with this group so fun. And the audience is invited to dress up too!

How does your real-world experience in the field connect to your role as a staff member at CFA?

I remember being a student in fine arts myself! I am frequently running to rehearsals, fitting in practice time, planning out my teaching for private lessons, all on top of my full-time BU job and personal life. I know our students are constantly managing their time in similar ways, so I aim to address the type of challenges they face by providing necessary resources or artist wellbeing events that support them through their college careers and beyond, and what I would have found helpful when I was a student.

What inspires you about this role? How do you think it makes you a better arts administrator?

I love what I do! I am reminded frequently from our artist wellbeing events that addressing your own health comes first, and in turn will improve your abilities as an artist. Imposter syndrome, fear of imperfection, anxiety, etc. are universal feelings that are shared by everyone. And community is so important and beneficial for your health as well! I think this is something the College of Fine Arts does a great job at.

I love what I do! I am reminded frequently from our artist wellbeing events that addressing your own health comes first, and in turn will improve your abilities as an artist. Imposter syndrome, fear of imperfection, anxiety, etc. are universal feelings that are shared between everyone. And community is so important and beneficial for your health as well! I think this is something the College of Fine Arts does a great job at.

-Brandi Main, Manager of Graduate Student Services

What advice would you give your students about building a sustainable career in the arts?

You never know where your path will lead you. Sometimes opportunities that don’t seem applicable to your career goals at the time will actually teach you skills that end up being very relevant, or you’ll discover a new skill where you really excel.

I studied music performance for my undergraduate and graduate degrees, but I had the opportunity during one summer as an undergraduate student to work as a production manager for the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival in Washington state. I never expected to find such a passion for it, but I discovered that I love organizing events: paying attention to the small details, ironing out the behind-the-scenes specifics, assisting backstage, and making everything come together for a show or event.

After moving to Boston, I used my experience in production management at organizations including Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Handel + Haydn Society, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which were all amazing experiences. And now I get to organize events for our amazing CFA students!

Any fun facts or other information you’d like to share with us?

Cape Ann Symphony Pride concert featuring Thorgy Thor from RuPaul’s Drag Race

When I was a production technician for some of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum concerts, I assisted with performances by exceptional artists including Sphinx Virtuosi and the Benedetti-Elschenbroich-Grynyuk Trio. I actually grew up listening to violinist Nicola Benedetti and really enjoy her playing, and I also remember referring to her in one of my class presentations in undergrad for her great stage presence. So then getting to meet her and work with her in a professional setting at ISG was mind-boggling! I wish I asked for a photo with her, but I was too shy in the moment.

And just last year, I performed in a Pride concert with Cape Ann Symphony that featured Thorgy Thor from RuPaul’s Drag Race! She had so much energy, pizzazz, and very high heels!

Connect with Brandi!

Brandi Main joined the BU College of Fine Arts in 2024 as the Manager of Graduate Student Services, and she is delighted to be a Terrier F1RSTS Advocate through the Newbury Center here at BU. Before starting her position at CFA, she began her journey in higher education in 2021 when joining the staff at BU as the Administrative Coordinator for the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Check out Brandi’s website at brandimain.com, follow her on LinkedIn, or send her an email at bmain@bu.edu.

About Mentioned Programs

Your overall wellbeing greatly influences your ability to implement creative and artistic processes. Through CFA’s Artist Wellbeing series, we support your social, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, financial, physical, and environmental wellbeing.

The CFA Dean’s Office collaborates with the Schools within CFA, as well as community partners at BU, to bring programming to support your overall health and wellbeing. When you feel better, you are more creative, focused, and productive. Our goal is to take care of you, so you can create your art.