Brittany Haas Awarded 2025 Eisenson Family Prize for American Roots Music

Award-winning fiddler and roots artist Brittany Haas(Opens in a new window) has been announced as the recipient of the Eisenson Family Prize for American Roots Music, an endowed fund that allows an outstanding roots musician to visit Berklee each year. The award was established by Bill Haney in 2016 in honor of former Berklee trustee Michael Eisenson, and its selection criteria are determined by Matt Glaser, artistic director of Berklee’s American Roots Music Program. Past winners include multi-Grammy winner Molly Tuttle ’14, Steve Martin Banjo Prize recipient Allison De Groot BM ’16, Sierra Hull ’11, Rhiannon Giddens, Jontavious Willis, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, and Laura Orshaw.

“Brittany is the voice of what fiddling has become and where it’s going, an artist who floats seamlessly and naturally and humbly between styles, while embracing and amplifying everything that’s beautiful about the instrument,” said Bruce Molsky, visiting scholar of the American Roots Music Program and a mentor for Haas since her early years as an artist. “We’re thrilled to welcome her to Berklee!”

Originally from Northern California and now based in Nashville, Haas has been a touring musician since she was 14, starting out with Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings before releasing her self-titled debut album at 17. A member of several influential groups, including Crooked Still, the Grammy Award–winning Punch Brothers, and her own band, Hawktail, Haas has established herself as one of the premier fiddle players in the bluegrass and old-time scene. She has collaborated with iconic artists, such as Bela Fleck, Vince Gill, Abigail Washburn, Dave Rawlings Machine, and Steve Martin and his bluegrass band, with whom she appeared on Late Night with David Letterman and Saturday Night Live. She also performed on Martin's Grammy-winning album, The Crow. Among her most recent works is the 2023 album HAAS, which she recorded with her cellist sister Natalie, and a 2024 duo fiddle album, the snake, recorded with Swedish fiddler Lena Jonsson(Opens in a new window).

“I am extremely honored to be receiving the Eisenson Family Prize,” said Haas. “So many of my favorite musicians have taught at or attended Berklee College of Music, so it is a delight to get to visit those hallowed halls. I can't wait to hear what the students are up to.”

Haas will visit Berklee’s Boston campus April 14–15, with plans to engage students in ensembles, private lessons, and master classes.