Briggs was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grew up in Seattle, Washington. He was first exposed to music by his mother, a classical pianist. He later studied the cello as well. He attended Pacific Lutheran University, where he received a bachelor's degree in composition, and later went on to study at the Juilliard School, where he received his master’s and doctoral degrees. He joined the faculty of The Juilliard School in 1994.[1]
