KRISTEN BRUYA APPOINTED
MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA PRINCIPAL BASS
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (February 4, 2015)—Music Director Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra announced today that Montana-native Kristen Bruya has won the position of Principal Bass following an extensive audition process. Ms. Bruya, who most recently served as Assistant Principal Bass with the Toronto Symphony, begins her Minnesota appointment this week, offering her first performances in the new position in concerts this Thursday, February 5, and Friday, February 6, featuring Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World.
“Kristen is a highly accomplished musician, and she will be a strong leader and an excellent addition to our bass section, our Orchestra and our larger community,” said Music Director Osmo Vänskä. “We are very happy to welcome her to Minnesota.”
Ms. Bruya succeeds Matthew Frischman and Kathryn Nettleman—both current members of the section—who most recently served as acting co-principals.
A native of Missoula, MT, Ms. Bruya joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as assistant principal bass in 2010; she came to that post after four years as a member of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. In recent seasons she has performed with the Santa Fe Opera and has played chamber music at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, on the Toronto Symphony’s Chamber Concerts series and with the Canadian chamber orchestra Group of 27. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, in addition to maintaining a private teaching studio. Ms. Bruya is a fan of Bikram yoga, jogging, hiking, camping and generally being out in nature.
“It is an honor to join the Minnesota Orchestra with its rich history, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Music Director Osmo Vänskä and all my new colleagues,” said Ms. Bruya. “I’m really looking forward to getting to know this community and great city.”
Said David Williamson, Chair of the Bass Audition Committee and member of the Orchestra’s bass section, “I know many people who have worked alongside Kristen in other orchestras, and they speak very highly of her. She is a fine bass player, and we offer her a warm welcome to Minnesota.”
# # #
