Fiddler Brittany Haas has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Eisenson Family Prize for American Roots Music. The award will allow her to participate in a short residency at Berklee College of Music.
The Eisenson Family Prize, established in 2016 by Bill Haney in honor of former Berklee trustee Michael Eisenson, is awarded based on criteria overseen by renowned jazz and bluegrass fiddler Matt Glaser.
Haas, a native of Northern California, began her music career at just 14 when she joined Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings. By the age of 17, she released her self-titled debut album.
Throughout her career, Haas has worked with notable musicians such as Bela Fleck, Vince Gill, Abigail Washburn, Dave Rawlings Machine, and Steve Martin’s bluegrass band. She has also performed on major TV shows, including Late Night with David Letterman and Saturday Night Live. Haas is a member of several influential groups, including Crooked Still, the Grammy Award-winning Punch Brothers, and her own band, Hawktail.
Haas’ residency at Berklee will take place from April 14 to 15, 2025, where she will engage with students through ensemble work, private lessons, and master classes.
Previous recipients of the Eisenson Family Prize include Grammy winner Molly Tuttle, Steve Martin Banjo Prize recipient Allison De Groot, Sierra Hull, Rhiannon Giddens, Jontavious Willis, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, and Laura Orshaw.
Bruce Molsky, visiting scholar of the American Roots Music Program at Berklee, praised Haas for her versatility and talent, stating, “Brittany is the voice of what fiddling has become and where it’s going. She gracefully moves between styles and elevates everything that’s beautiful about the instrument. We’re thrilled to welcome her to Berklee!”
Haas expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am extremely honored to be receiving the Eisenson Family Prize. So many of my favorite musicians have taught at or attended Berklee College of Music, so it’s a delight to visit. I can’t wait to see what the students are working on.”
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