Meet the multi-hyphenate: a rocket scientist with a songwriter’s heart
Concordia engineering student and Whiteway, Newfoundland native Shana Brown embodies a rare fusion of science and art. As a co-leader of Space Concordia’s Rocketry Division and a musician who weaves folk, pop, and country into her songs, Brown proves that curiosity, discipline, and creativity can bloom in the same person. In this 20-question interview, she shares what fuels her passion for space, how music informs her approach to engineering, and what it takes to balance two demanding callings.
1) What sparked your interest in space and rockets?
Brown describes a childhood curiosity about how things work, from lighting up a room with a simple circuit to imagining a rover rolling across Martian dirt. The moment she discovered Space Concordia, a student-led space program in Montreal, she found a platform where curiosity could be translated into tangible projects—rockets built, tested, and iterated with a team of like-minded peers.
2) How does being in the Rocketry Division shape your education?
Being part of Space Concordia blends theory with hands-on practice. Brown highlights coursework in propulsion, control systems, and materials science that becomes more meaningful when applied to a real rocket. The division emphasizes project management, safety, and collaboration—skills that serve her both in and out of the lab.
3) What role does Newfoundland background play in your work?
Growing up in Whiteway, Brown learned resilience and curiosity from a small-town perspective. Those traits translate to the rocket team as perseverance through long experiments, strict testing protocols, and the patience required to troubleshoot a failing component until a solution emerges.
4) When did you start writing or performing music?
Music began as a family affair, but Brown soon found a personal voice. She writes songs that mix storytelling with a keen sense of rhythm, drawing on folk roots while embracing modern pop and country influences.
5) How does music influence your engineering mindset?
Music teaches timing, balance, and attention to nuance—qualities that transfer to engineering. A good song, like a good flight computer code, depends on precise sequencing, reliable feedback, and clear intent. Brown notes that listening to the natural flow of a melody can inspire streamlined workflows and better collaboration in the lab.
6) What does a typical week look like for you?
A typical week combines lab time, design reviews, and practice sessions. With Rocketry Division responsibilities, Brown attends meetings, runs tests, analyzes data, and mentors younger teammates. In the evenings or on weekends, she rehearses, writes, and records new material.
7) What challenges do you face juggling two demanding paths?
The biggest challenge is time management. Both engineering and music require focus, mentorship, and iteration. Brown uses structured schedules, clear priorities, and supportive teammates to keep both worlds moving forward without burning out.
8) Do your peers view you differently because of your dual interests?
Some teammates admire the breadth of her pursuits, while others respect the rigorous discipline behind each. Brown believes that diverse passions foster teamwork, as creativity in music can spark innovative problem-solving in engineering, and vice versa.
9) Share a memorable moment in Space Concordia so far.
A standout moment was a successful rocket test day where data confirmed a critical design improvement. The sense of collective achievement—seeing a rocket perform safely and predictably—captured the essence of why she joined Space Concordia in the first place.
10) What’s your songwriting process?
Brown starts with a story or emotion, picks a tempo that matches the mood, and builds melodies around that core idea. Lyrics tend to be personal but universal, inviting listeners to bring their own interpretations to the song.
11) How do you balance performance with project deadlines?
Balance comes from disciplined calendars, clear communication, and full commitment during each project phase. When a deadline approaches, prioritizing tasks and coordinating with teammates keeps stress manageable.
12) Do you see parallels between launching a rocket and releasing a song?
Both are collaborative journeys that require careful planning, testing, feedback, and a touch of risk-taking. Each success teaches resilience and humility, and both rely on a trusted team to reach liftoff or a chorus that lands just right.
13) Any mentors who shaped your path?
Brown credits mentors in both engineering and music who encouraged experimentation and offered candid feedback. Their guidance helped her understand that growth comes from trying, failing, and trying again.
14) How do you approach safety in rocket design?
Safety is non-negotiable. Procedural rigor, risk assessments, and redundant testing are built into every project. Brown emphasizes learning from near-misses as a pathway to more robust designs.
15) What advice would you give to students pursuing dual passions?
Embrace time management, seek mentors, and build a network that supports both disciplines. Don’t fear making choices that broaden your horizons; the skills you gain are transferable and strengthening.
16) What future goals motivate you?
Brown hopes to contribute to practical, safe rocket systems while continuing to develop her music career. Long-term, she envisions a role that blends engineering innovation with creative storytelling through performance and collaboration.
17) How do you stay motivated during tough weeks?
Small wins matter: finishing a test, nailing a melody, or solving a stubborn problem. She also leans on friends, family, and teammates who share a belief in what she’s building—both on the launch pad and on stage.
18) Are there projects you’re most proud of?
While several Rocketry Division projects stand out, Brown is especially proud of a mission-focused design that combined lightweight materials with robust telemetry. It’s a testament to how careful planning and teamwork pay dividends in both space and music.
19) What does success look like for you?
Success means continuing to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully in both fields. It’s about inspiring others to pursue their dual passions without feeling split between them.
20) Where can fans follow your journey?
Brown invites curious readers to follow her on platforms where she shares project updates and music. She appreciates every listener who finds resonance in a story that merges science and song.
Shana Brown’s story is a reminder that the best innovators often break the mold. By leading rockets and shaping melodies, she demonstrates that science and art can amplify each other, propelling both a personal career and a broader dialogue about interdisciplinary creativity.
