Acclaimed Music Director Bryan Schimmel on beating the odds
Bryan Schimmel is widely regarded as one of the leading and most
diverse Music Directors, Arrangers and Orchestrators in South Africa.
Aside from a story of success as a musician, his story is one of facing,
overcoming and living with challenges, and beating the odds. Hear it here.
Bryan Schimmel has succeeded as a musician despite being a stutterer his entire
life, as well as a victim of bullying, homophobia and a very difficult
relationship with his late father.
He is a recovered crystal meth addict and he's been HIV+ for around two decades.
Bryan lived in the US from 1995 – 2002. When his life was at its most
dire and desperate, he made a choice to return to South Africa to
reclaim his life, reboot his career and became one of the most
successful musicians in South Africa.
He's been in the industry for more than 30 years and has worked in theatre, special events, recording and television - among other things. His theatre credits include music direction of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Annie, Chicago and Rent. Bryan talks to 'DrD' Dorianne Weil
about that journey. Listen below.
* Bryan Schimmel has co-created the original A HANDFUL OF KEYS in 1994 and played the first 350 performances. Most recently, Bryan arranged and conducted a 45-piece orchestra for five sold-out performances of JONATHAN ROXMOUTH: The Musicals in Concert.
Meanwhile, the explosive Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma has got the world talking about how social media has been designed to be extremely manipulative of its users. Young people are often most affected. Digital parenting expert, Josh Ramsey, co-founder of Be In Touch - joins 'DrD' to unpack some potential, and very practical, solutions for parents.
It's a must-listen. Click on the play button to listen now, or download it to your computer for later.Listen to more podcasts from 'DrD' in the channel below. Or open her channel in your favourite podcast app.