Glenna Burmer: A Symphony of Storytelling Through Music and Animation

From a world-renowned scientist to an award-winning filmmaker and composer, Glenna Burmer’s artistic journey is anything but conventional. Based in Seattle, Burmer has carved a unique path in the world of animation and music, captivating audiences with her imaginative storytelling, richly orchestrated scores, and distinctive visual style.

A classically trained composer and accomplished musician, Burmer began exploring the realm of animated filmmaking during the pandemic, seamlessly blending her original music with 2D and 3D animation. Her approach is deeply narrative-driven—each project begins with a compelling storyline, which she then brings to life through meticulously crafted musical compositions. With the soundscape set, she imagines an unforgettable cast of characters and collaborates with animation studios to translate the music’s emotion and atmosphere into vivid visual storytelling.

Her debut animated short, Nana korobi (Seven Falls), quickly garnered critical acclaim, winning over 60 international awards across categories such as best animation, musical composition, and original filmmaking. The film exemplifies Burmer’s creative ethos: a fusion of heart, heritage, and harmony. Her follow-up project, Bippy the Little Robot, tells the whimsical tale of a lovable post-apocalyptic trashcan named Bippy. The film was recently screened at the prestigious Beverly Hills Film Festival, cementing her reputation as a rising voice in independent animation.

Burmer’s creative influences trace back to her Japanese American heritage and her mother, an artist who instilled in her a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Yet, her early career took a different trajectory. After earning both medical and doctoral degrees from the University of Washington, she co-founded LifeSpan BioSciences in 1995. Under her leadership, the company became a global leader in the antibody industry—an extraordinary feat blending innovation with scientific rigor.

In 2011, Burmer returned to her artistic roots with the founding of Burmer Music LLC. The company produced six contemporary classical music compilations and four large-scale concerts showcasing top talent from the Pacific Northwest. One of her most acclaimed productions, Origins: Life and the Universe, sold out Seattle’s Benaroya Hall in 2016 and earned her recognition from The Seattle Times as “an unexpected new presence in Seattle culture.”

Burmer’s multidisciplinary background gives her a unique edge in the filmmaking world. Her scientific mindset informs her precision and curiosity, while her musicality provides emotional depth and cohesion to her stories. This rare combination allows her to craft films that resonate on both intellectual and emotional levels, connecting with audiences across cultures and generations. Whether composing for a lonely robot or mischievous spirits, she weaves universal themes of resilience, transformation, and wonder into every frame.

Today, Glenna Burmer continues to break boundaries in storytelling. Her next animated film will explore the world of modern Yokai—Japanese spirits trapped in inanimate objects—offering a fresh take on folklore with her signature blend of humor and depth. She is also authoring a science fiction trilogy that marries her scientific expertise with narrative artistry, creating imaginative worlds full of eccentric characters and surreal adventures.

Through every project, Burmer’s voice remains clear: original, passionate, and profoundly creative. Whether through the keys of a piano or the brushstrokes of animation, she invites audiences into new realms—where science meets spirit, and stories sing.