Biography

New York-based musician and social entrepreneur Brian Neff has orchestrated a vibrant dual career in the performing arts and the international social sector. A pianist and classically-trained tenor who also holds extensive post-graduate qualifications and professional experience in international affairs, he divides his time between the teaching studio, the stage, and a portfolio of entrepreneurial and consulting projects on humanitarian issues.Brian is currently on the Adjunct Voice Faculty at New York University, where he is a part-time candidate for the Master of Music in Classical Vocal Performance with an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy and was elected a Catherine B. Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship in 2010. He is also Artistic Consultant and Assistant Musical Director of the East Harlem-based New York City Housing Authority Youth Chorus. He maintains a private voice studio in Greenwich Village and works actively as a freelance recitalist, accompanist, and musical director. Brian has conducted or sung more than two hundred fifty concerts in more than twenty countries with various vocal ensembles, including the distinguished Yale Whiffenpoofs. Most recenty he performed works by Bach, Fauré, Quilter, Haas, and Vaughan Williams with the Ameropa Chamber Music Festival in Prague.Brian concurrently works broadly in the international humanitarian field. He is interim Chief Executive Officer of Peace Direct, the United States affiliate of the award-winning international NGO that funds and promotes the work of local peacebuilders in conflict zones. In this capacity, he is responsible for implementing the organization's global mission by creating innovative fundraising, outreach, advocacy, and public education campaigns that build a powerful constituency for local peacebuilding in the United States. He had served as a strategic consultant to the London flagship office since 2009.In 2011, Brian co-founded Global Humaitarian Advisors, a philanthropic advocacy consulting firm that serves a broad range of individual and non-profit clientele in crafting meaningful and impactful journeys of humanitarian engagement. Under this mantle he works as a contributing editor to The Daily Beast, regularly writing and producing Editor-in-Chief Tina Brown's live events on international humanitarian topics (recent panels and interviews have focused on Afghani women entrepreneurs, the global orphan crisis, and social innovation), and is serving as producer and strategic advisor to Deborra-lee Jackman and the child welfare organization National Adoption Awareness Week Australia. Previoulsy he worked as a senior advisor to grassroots human rights organization The Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth (2010), a peace and justice analyst for the International Center for Transitional Justice (2009), a dialogue facilitator for the peacebuilding nonprofit Soliya (2007), and a political affairs research consultant for the United Nations Mission in Sudan (2006). He is a certified mediator and has been an invited participant or presenter at numerous academic conferences and symposia. In a merging of his professional interests, Brian is developing Peace Acchord, an international service organization that empowers musicians in conflict-affected communities to use their talents in the service of peace. Peace Acchord's expanding curriculum of original, innovative music workshops teach children empathy, tolerance, and leadership.Brian began his career as a broadcast journalist at ABC News and CNBC, writing and producing for Barbara Walters, Cynthia McFadden, Tina Brown, and others. While still in college, he worked as a production assistant and writer for Martha Stewart on the syndicated Martha Stewart Living.Brian grew up in Connecticut, New Jersey, and London and holds a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in History from Yale, a Master of Arts in International Relations (MALD) from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Mental Health from Harvard Medical School.He lives in Manhattan.
Artist Resume Music Sheets

Artist Résumé

Concert WorkTKEducation and TrainingTKOther Musical Training & SkillsTKConductors: TKCoaches: William WesbrooksDirectors: Meg Bussert,Master Classes: TK
Performances No Frame

Upcoming Performances

Participant Soloist: Metropolitan International Music FestivalNew York, NY • metfestival.orgJanuary 25 - February 3, 2012Featured Vocalist: Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding Benefit, "A Piece for Peace"Carnegie Hall, New York, NY • tanenbaum.orgFebruary 28, 2012

Recent Performances

Vocal Recital by Soprano Hannah Marks: Scenes from "Sunday in the Park With George" (George)Provincetown Playhouse, New York, NY • steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/voice/December 11, 2011Pianist: Sing for Hope 2011 GalaNew York, NY • singforhope.orgNovember 17, 2011Soloist, Tenor and Piano: Ameropa Chamber Music FestivalPrague, Czech Republic • ameropa.orgJuly 16 - August 7, 2011Featured Pianist: Sing for Hope Pop-Up Pianos Launchwith the New York City Housing Authority Youth Chorus under the direction of Larry MatthewNew York, NY • singforhope.orgJune 16, 2011 at 11:00amTenor Soloist: Cantata No. 9 Es ist das Heil uns kommen her (J. S. Bach)Music in the Somerset Hills Inaugural ConcertGladstone, NJ • musicsh.orgMay 1, 2011 at 6:00pmFeatured Pianist: World Harmony Run Ceremony (with Soprano Amy Justman)Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, NYC • worldharmonyrun.orgAugust 23, 2010 at 1:00pmFeatured Soloist: "Songs for Our Future" CabaretP. C. Richard & Son Theater, NYC • singforhope.orgMay 7, 2010 at 8:00pm
Voice Studio

Voice Studio

Overview
Teaching Philosophy
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Overview

Welcome!

Welcome TK

Teaching Philosophy Green Dress

Teaching Method & Philosophy

Teaching Method and Philosophy TK

Rates and Scheduling Hair Piece

Rates & Scheduling

Rates & Scheduling TK

Multimedia

Headshots
Performance Stills
Videos
Audio Clips

Headshots

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Performance Stills

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Videos

Pro Wix Users: Create a Drop Down Menu
Wix- A 2.0 Website
How to Build a Website

Pro Wix Users: Create a Drop Down Menu
Wix- A 2.0 Website
How to Build a Website

Audio Clips
Brian at piano

Finishing the Hat

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Ocean Dreams

Go, Lovely Rose

Donaudy

Curriculum Vitae Dotted World Map

Professional CV

WORK EXPERIENCEPeace Acchord • New York, NYFounder & Executive Director • 2010 - presentPeace Acchord empowers musicians around the world to channel their creative energies into local, strategic initiatives that cultivate peace in their communities.Peace Direct • London, UKStrategic Consultant • 2009 - 2010Spearheading global expansion strategy for award-winning NGO that financially and logistically supports the grassroots efforts of peacebuilders in conflict-affected areas around the world.The Daily Beast • New York, NYContributing Writer & Producer for Editor in Chief Tina Brown • 2010 - presentWrite and produce Editor in Chief Tina Brown's live events on international humanitarian topics. Recent panels and interviews include entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, the international orphan crisis, innovation in America, global women's health and security. New York City Housing Authority Youth Chorus • New York, NYArtistic Consultant & Assistant Musical Director • 2010 –- presentAccompanist and assistant conductor to 30-member Harlem-based chorus that serves underprivileged youth with extraordinary musical promise.Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Fellowship in Social Entrepreneurship •New York, NY • 2010Awarded exceptionally competitive two-year fellowship, based at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service and the Steinhardt School’'s Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, to incubate and launch Peace Acchord.Selected as one of nine fellows from an applicant pool of over 600.Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth • New York, NYSenior Advisor & Board Member • 2009 - 2010Elected to the Board of Directors for grassroots advocacy organization that promotes, protects, and secures the human rights of youth who are confined, or who are at risk of being confined, in residential treatment programs (therapeutic boarding schools, behavioral modification or wilderness camps, and the like) in the United States.International Center for Transitional Justice • New York, NYConsulting Peace & Justice Analyst • 2009Authoring investigative case study that documents and analyzes the ways in which mediators of the Darfur peace process have handled issues of accountability, justice, and victims rights. Drawing lessons learned to advise the current mediation efforts.Dr. Eileen Babbitt, PhD • Boston, MAHuman Rights Research Consultant • 2008Analyzed connections between human rights abuses and transmuting ethno-political dynamics in Rwanda, as well as the efficacy of state- and outsider-run reconciliation initiatives, for Dr. Babbitt’s forthcoming book.Al Jazeera English Television Network • Washington, DCConsulting Producer • 2008Provided editorial direction and booked interviews for multi-part series on issues central to the US presidential election.The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University • Medford, MAResearch & Teaching Fellow • 2007 –- 2008Formulated case studies, debates, exams, readings, and other teaching tools in the area of transitional justice, post-conflict rule of law, and comparative international law. Tracked an analyzed worldwide transitional justice developments and undertook cross-cultural analysis of reconciliation trajectories in South Africa and Kosovo.Soliya • Boston, MADialogue Facilitator • 2006Moderated weekly, intensive debate and discussion between American and Middle Eastern university students in web teleconferences. Promoted cross-cultural understanding of contentious issues surrounding US-Arab/Muslim relations, including the Iraq war, terrorism, and religious extremism.The United Nations Mission in Sudan • Khartoum and Abyei, SudanPolitical Affairs Consultant, Deputy Reporting & Analysis Officer • 2006Advised senior UN leadership on how better to leverage traditional conflict resolution mechanisms between Dinka and Misseriya tribes in peacefully settling the contested Abyei region’s ongoing boundary dispute. Co-drafted analytic code cables and policy memos on the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Monthly Darfur Report to the UN Security Council. CNBC Television • Englewood Cliffs, NJEditorial Producer, “"Topic [A] with Tina Brown”" • 2003 -– 2005Responsible for producing all editorial content for weekly, topical news interview program hosted by former Vanity Fair and New Yorker editor-in-chief Tina Brown. Conceived, wrote and cut roundtable panel discussions and one-on-one interviews on international affairs, politics and culture. Directed support staff of three.Hyperion Books • New York, NYFreelance Editor • 2003Edited manuscript for Young and Hungry by Dave Lieberman, released April 2005.ABC News • New York, NYField / Associate Producer • 2001 –- 2003Pitched and researched stories, booked and pre-interviewed guests, coordinated shoots, directed camera crews for “20/20,” “Primetime,” “ABC News Specials,” and “The Barbara Walters Specials.”Wrote interview questions, scripts, and detailed biographical reports. Conceived and produced investigation into “road rage” for 20/20 report that won Paul Mongerson Prize for Investigative Reporting on News Coverage.Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia • Westport, CTProduction Assistant, “Martha Stewart Living Television” • 1999 –- 2000Wrote lifestyle segments for Emmy-winning daily home arts program.New Jersey Senate • Trenton, NJLegislative Assistant to Senator John Ewing, 16th District • 1994 –- 1996Researched and cited legal precedents that solved constituent problems, particularly relating to welfare and property rights.Wrote legal summaries, fielded constituent inquiries, managed press archives.EDUCATIONThe Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University • Medford, MAMaster of Arts in Law and Diplomacy • 2005 – 2008Concentrations: International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Human Rights, Transitional Justice & Post-Conflict Rule of Law, Refugee Issues, International and Comparative Politics, United States Foreign Policy.Honors: John H. Hedges Fellowship (2007), Henry J. Leir Fellowship in Humanitarian Assistance (2006).Thesis: “Towards a Framework for Culturally-Sensitive Psychosocial Interventions in the Population of Internally Displaced Sudanese.Teaching Assistantships: Transitional Justice, Post-Conflict Rule of Law, Comparative Legal Systems, Diplomacy.Appointments: Committee on Curriculum and Requirements for Degrees, Committee on Development and Alumni Relations.GPA: 3.93Yale University • New Haven, CTBachelor of Arts in History with Distinction • 1996 -– 2001Honors: Twice nominated for History departmental prizes (1999 and 2001). Inducted into Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society (1999) and “Hale Foundation” Senior Secret Society (2000).Leadership: Tenor and World Tour Manager, Yale Whiffenpoofs; Tenor and Director, Yale Alley Cats (semiprofessional vocal ensembles).Harvard Medical School • Boston, MACertificate in Global Mental Health • 2007 -– 2008Advanced training in policy formation for psychosocial post-conflict recovery efforts.Harvard Law School • Cambridge, MANegotiation Workshop • 2007Graduate coursework in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution.Columbia University • New York, NYPost-baccalaureate coursework • 2005Coursework in International Human Rights, Economics, and French.PUBLICATION“Fracas in Congress: The Battle of Honor between Matthew Lyon and Roger Griswold,” Essays in History 41 (1999).MEDIATION SKILLSCertified mediator in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 233: Section 23C. Completed 30-hour intensive mediation training with Mediation Works Incorporated and certification practicum in Boston-area courts.CONFERENCES & SPEAKINGInvited lecture, “Darfur, the ICC, and the Peace versus Justice Debate,” Tufts University (2009)Invited speaker, “Overcoming Political Violence, Injustice, and Deprivation: Perspectives from Political Psychology,” International Society of Political Psychology 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting, Dublin, Ireland (2009)Invited speaker, Unite for Sight Global Health Conference, Yale University (2009)Invited participant, “Traditional Justice and Reconciliation after Violent Conflict: Learning from African Experiences” conference, Brussels, Belgium (2008)Invited participant, Harvard Medical School “Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery” conference and mastery certificate program, Orvieto, Italy (2007-8)Invited participant, Stanford University “Institute in Political Psychology” conference, Palo Alto, CA (2007)Invited participant, “Mental Health in Complex Emergencies” conference, Center for International Health and Cooperation, New York, NY (2007)Invited participant, “Global Leadership Seminar,” Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Talloires, France (2006)PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPSInternational Studies Association, International Society for Political Psychology, International Association for Conflict ManagementLANGUAGEProficient spoken and written French.TRAVELAruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, England (Lived in Surrey 1991-1993), Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Spain, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Turks & Caicos, U.A.E., Venezuela, Virgin Islands.
Writing

Articles

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