Student Spotlight #2: Bradford Dickson

HUMBA: Thank you for being a part of the spotlight. I just wanted to open the floor for you, Bradford, to tell us a little bit about yourself and give some background and context about you as an artist.

Bradford Dickson: Right now, I'm a sophomore at Harvard and also in my fourth semester at Berklee, studying music and economics at Harvard and cello performance with a bit of music business at Berklee. I've been playing the cello since third grade, so for about 12 or 13 years now. I also play a little guitar and piano, and I try to sing—but that’s more for fun with my friends than anything serious.

I’m really into folk music, country, and even neo-classical styles. I’m currently taking composition courses at both Harvard and Berklee, which is amazing because they approach music so differently. At Harvard, the focus is more on theory and structure, whereas Berklee is more about improvisation and contemporary techniques. As an artist, I love classical music, jazz, and experimenting with the different sounds the cello can produce. For example, I recently performed a piece called Black Run, which incorporates unique techniques like playing with the wood part of the bow, intricate pizzicato patterns, and extended techniques that push the boundaries of what the cello can do. I’m really interested in expanding the traditional role of the cello beyond classical music into modern and experimental genres.

H: Where did your passion for the cello start? Choosing an instrument is an important decision for any artist.

B: Funny enough, I actually started on the violin in second grade but switched to the cello in third grade pretty randomly. I was pretty good at violin, but I thought the cello sounded cooler and had a deeper, richer tone. It wasn’t an instant love—I almost quit several times because it was challenging. But I stuck with it, and over time, my passion for it grew. I think my love for music in general drives my passion for the cello, rather than the instrument itself. One of the reasons I love it is because it’s the closest string instrument to the human voice. You can play melody, bass lines, and even percussion sounds through chopping and hitting the instrument.

I even have a carbon fiber cello, which is really cool because it’s durable and allows me to travel easily. Traditional wooden cellos can be fragile, but with the carbon fiber one, I can check it under a plane without worrying about damage. It also has a slightly different resonance, which adds a modern touch to my performances.

H: Wow, I didn’t know carbon fiber cellos were a thing! That’s really interesting. Since you perform live in various orchestras and settings, what draws you to live performances?

B: I was actually just talking about this with my girlfriend. We were watching a Netflix comedy special, and I mentioned how comedy is just so much better in person. It’s not just about the jokes—it’s about the whole experience. The same goes for music. Going to see your favorite artist live is about more than just the music; it's about being with friends, dancing, and singing along. Playing live is special because of that energy. Especially when performing with other people, there’s a level of interaction that’s just incomparable.

I love improvisation in live performances, especially in jazz and folk settings. There’s a thrill in reacting to the other musicians in real-time, playing off each other's energy, and creating something unique for that moment. You can’t replicate that in a studio recording.

H: A Greek philosopher once said that music is a gateway to the soul. Have you ever had a euphoric moment while playing the cello?

B: Absolutely. The moment that really solidified my passion for music was my freshman year of high school when I played in an honors orchestra at Carnegie Hall. I spent about five days in New York with incredibly talented high school musicians, rehearsing for hours each day. Performing on that stage was euphoric, but even more than that, the experience of being surrounded by people who were just as passionate about music as I was—it was life-changing. That’s when I knew I wanted music to be part of my life forever.

Another time was during a jam session at Berklee, where we completely improvised a piece that ended up being one of the most expressive and powerful performances I’ve been part of. Moments like those remind me why I love music.

H: Do you see yourself playing the cello forever?

B: Absolutely. As part of the Berklee dual-degree program, I have the opportunity to do a master’s in contemporary performance at Berklee’s Valencia, Spain campus. Even if my career takes me into finance or consulting, I’ll still do that master’s. I’ve talked to people at major music companies who still play in bands on the weekends. That’s my goal—to keep music as a significant part of my life, no matter what.

H: You juggle so many things—music, academics, athletics. How do you balance it all?

B: It’s a lot, but I try to integrate my interests as much as possible. For example, I bring my travel guitar on the bus to water polo games, and my teammates and I play and sing together. My girlfriend studies while I practice, so we spend time together that way. By combining music with other aspects of my life, I make it all work while keeping it enjoyable.

H: How has music impacted your relationships?

B: It’s made them better. Some of my water polo teammates have even started learning guitar, so we play together. Sharing music with others is such a special experience. Music has also strengthened my relationship with my family. My mom recently started learning piano so we could play together. This summer, I’ll be flying home to San Diego to perform a duet with her at her recital, which is really meaningful to both of us.

H: What’s one of the biggest lessons the cello has taught you?

B: Perseverance. I’ve failed auditions, lost games, but kept going. One of the worst auditions I had was when I completely bombed an audition for my Youth Symphony. The instructor even told me, “That was really bad.” But I didn’t let it stop me—I shifted my focus and started exploring new styles of music. That shift in mindset made all the difference.

H: You’ve started teaching music. Would you consider doing that as a career?

B Not as a full-time career, but I always want to have the opportunity to teach. I’m also working on a startup through my creative entrepreneurship class, aiming to connect college music students with high school music programs in need of one-on-one instruction. I believe one-on-one mentorship is crucial in music education, and I want to help bridge that gap.

H: That’s incredible. Lastly, what does music mean to you?

Bradford: Music is everything. It’s in my relationships, my education, my business endeavors—every part of my life. Music isn’t just something I do; it’s in everything I do.

H: That’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story, Bradford!