Meet the Gustavus Earth Day Bass Day Guest Clinicians: MN Orchestra Principal Bass Kristen Bruya and University of Iowa Bass Professor Volkan Orhan.
Kristen Bruya will present a 10:45 Seminar and Masterclass, Coach Verdi’s Otello, and perform in the afternoon recital.
Kristen Bruya joined the Minnesota Orchestra as principal bass in February 2015. Prior to this, she was the assistant principal bass of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra from 2010 through 2014, and a member of Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s bass section from 2006 to 2010. She received an undergraduate degree in music from the University of Michigan, did extended studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and received a Master of Music from Rice University.
From 2000-2004, she was a member of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. Kristen loves collaborating in chamber music and has performed with various groups in the Twin Cities as well as with the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival from 2013-2015. She teaches privately, and has presented masterclasses at New World Symphony, Northwestern University, Peabody, Indiana University, and the University of Houston, among other schools.
Volkan Orhan will present a 9:30 am seminar and masterclass, coach the Britten’s Young Person’s Guide, and perform in the afternoon recital.
Acclaimed for his musicality and virtuosity, Volkan has established himself as one of the top double bassists in the world today. He was a finalist and prizewinner in the Concert Artists Guild Solo Competition in New York City, and was the co-first place winner of the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition. Additionally, he distinguished himself as the first double bass player ever to win the grand prize overall and first prize for double bass at the American String Teacher’s Association Solo Competition. Mr. Orhon has performed with internationally recognized musicians including Gary Karr, Fazil Say, the Emerson String Quartet, and Tokyo String Quartet, and has performed recitals and as a soloist with orchestras around the world. He was one of the performers for the international consortium of Pulitzer Winner composer John Harbison’s Concerto for Bass Viol and Orchestra.
Born and raised in Turkey, Mr. Orhon began playing the double bass at the age of 12, and spent much of his youth touring Europe with the Mediterranean Youth Soloists. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the Ankara State Conservatory under the tutelage of Tahir Sumer, he became a member of the Ankara Presidential Symphony Orchestra. In 1991, Mr. Orhon came to the United States to continue his studies with Gary Karr at The Hartt School of Music, where he earned an Artist Diploma and Master of Music.
