Justin Bruns is Concertmaster of the North Carolina Symphony, appointed in 2025 after serving as Associate Concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He was previously Assistant Concertmaster at the Colorado Symphony. A seasoned orchestral leader and passionate chamber musician, Bruns is also concertmaster of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and Bellingham Music Festival and has served as guest concertmaster with the São Paulo Symphony, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, and others.
Bruns began his studies at age three and won his first competition two years later. He made his solo debut with an orchestra at age nine. Since then he has appeared with orchestras throughout the United States, South America, and Europe. He has premiered over 20 solo, concerto, and chamber works. His chamber music highlights include a Carnegie Hall debut, residences at the Savannah and San Miguel Chamber Music Festivals, and frequent performance broadcasts on Performance Today. He has recorded with Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill, and Pearl Jam.
A committed educator, Bruns has mentored students at Emory University, the National Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, the NTSO Festival in Taiwan, and as an advisor and faculty of the ASO’s Talent Development Program. Bruns graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan and was awarded the top prize upon graduation, the Stanley Medal. He earned his master’s degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.
