A Little About Me
Nick Bruno is a professional trumpet player, educator, and director with a Master of Music from Southern Illinois University. He has a broad spectrum of experience in jazz, classical, Latin, commercial and musical theater settings as both a performer and teacher.
His performance background includes the First National Tour of the TONY Award-winning jukebox musical The Cher Show, A Christmas Story, and How The Grinch Stole Christmas, as well as numerous regional productions. He has also performed internationally at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Vienne Jazz Festival in France, and the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy. Furthermore, Nick has experience with Latin groups like Sonora Santanera performing at The Million Dollar Theatre for Fiesta Broadway, and Rocio La Dama de la Cumbia. His other accolades include the Oklahoma Chamber Symphony, Night Owl Productions, Wayne Foster Productions, LALA Brass and a variety of other commercial ensembles.
Nick has shared the stage with artists like Melissa Manchester, Barbara Morrison, Crystal Stark, Philipe De Jesus, Paquita la del Barrio, Rick Braun, Terrel Stafford, Brice Winston, Wayne Bergeron, Ron McCarley, and Gary Smulyan.
As a recording musician, he has contributed to projects for artists like Alto Moon and Watch Your Tone, as well as promotional tracks for Night Owl Productions and Citrus College. He has also made appearances on big band albums for Downbeat magazine recognized Cuesta College and as a featured soloist on Southern Nazarene Universities big band album.
As an educator, Nick has served as Assistant Marching Band Director at Southern Nazarene University, Middle School Band Director for Success Academy Charter Networks in NYC, and Jazz Band Director for Heartland Homeschool Bands in Oklahoma City, working with large ensembles and developing student performance skills. Nick has also taught trumpet, guitar, and music theory in private and school environments, including Camp Heart O' Hills with the Salvation Army, Norman Music Institute, West Moore High School, Moore Middle School, and Music and Arts.