Violinist Justin Bruns began musical studies at age three and won his first competition two years later. He made his solo debut with an orchestra at age nine and since then has appeared as soloist and recitalist in the US, England, Brazil, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Peru, and Taiwan.
Bruns joined the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra in 2005 and in 2012 was appointed Concertmaster by Marin Alsop. He recently won the position of Associate Concertmaster with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra after serving a decade as Assistant Concertmaster there. Before moving to Atlanta, Bruns was Assistant Concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Concertmaster of the Boulder Bach Festival. Bruns has been a guest concertmaster for Arizona MusicFest, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, IRIS Chamber Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Kansas City Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, and São Paulo Symphony.
A devoted and active chamber musician, Bruns has appeared with numerous ensembles including the Atlanta, Georgian, and Michigan Chamber Players, and at Tahoe Chamber Music Society, Savannah Music Festival, San Miguel Chamber Music Festival, and Carnegie Hall. He has an affinity for the Brahms, Beethoven, and Mozart sonata cycles. During summers he has appeared at the Aspen, Beijing, BRAVO, Lakes Area, Music in the Mountains (Durango), NTSO (Taiwan), Strings (Steamboat Springs), and Bellingham Music Festivals. This summer he returns to Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego, Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills, and Lake Tahoe Chamber Music Society as well as teaching at National Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.
Bruns graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan and was awarded the top prize upon graduation, the Stanley Medal. He received his master’s degree from Rice University. Bruns has recorded with Pearl Jam, Faith Hill, and Bruce Springsteen. He has premiered solo and chamber works by Michael Gandolfi, Jennifer Higdon, Michael Kurth, Seyed Safavynia, and DJ Sparr.
