Violinist Justin Bruns began violin 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, and Peru.
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 with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, IRIS Chamber Orchestra, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Louisville Orchestra, and São Paulo Symphony.
A devoted and very active chamber musician, Bruns has appeared with numerous ensembles including the Atlanta, Georgian, and Michigan Chamber Players, and at the Lake Tahoe and Savannah Music Festivals, 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), Strings (Steamboat Springs), and Bellingham Music Festivals. In summer 2018 he performs at Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego and the Chamber Music Festival of the Black Hills as well as teaching at National Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and NTSO Music Festival in Taiwan.
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.
