About Garri Paul
New Orleans VoCAL Instructor
Garri Paul grew up surrounded by music, with roots tracing back to her grandfather, renowned jazz saxophonist Gary Brown, and her grandmother, Antoniette Brown, who played a key role in shaping her musical path.
Garri began her musical journey at just five years old, studying piano under her grandmother’s guidance. Daily lessons in theory and note spelling laid the groundwork for her early success in recitals and competitions. By 7th grade, her talents expanded to jazz clarinet, studying under the late Kidd Jordan, her grandfather’s mentor. Around the same time, her passion for musical theatre and singing began to flourish, leading her to voice lessons with Lauren Gisclair.
Garri attended both Ursuline Academy and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), graduating from both in 2015. She then pursued her passion at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, earning a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance in 2019 and a master’s in Vocal Pedagogy in 2021, mentored by Patty Thom.
While in Boston, Garri developed her skills as a music educator, teaching for the Boston City Singers and the Boston Conservatory Vocal Academy. She also demonstrated her commitment to advocacy, founding the Black Student Alliance at Boston Conservatory and receiving the Student Government Association’s award for diversity and inclusion in 2017.
Today, Garri continues her work as a teacher and music director. She serves as an associate teacher at Lauren’s Voice Studio, focusing on beginner and intermediate voice instruction. She has also taught at Gramercy Elementary and currently leads the music program for Sacred Heart Academy’s middle school.
In addition to her musical pursuits, Garri runs Paul’s Beverages, offering fresh lemonades, teas, and cold brews at local farmers’ markets around New Orleans. When not teaching or performing, she enjoys relaxing with her English Bulldog, Benni.
Looking to the future, Garri aims to teach at the collegiate level and dreams of founding the first Black-owned conservatory in the United States. Her journey reflects a passion for music, education, advocacy, and entrepreneurship, embodying her commitment to creating meaningful change.
