Kristen Bruya

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 and was also previously a member of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. She received an undergraduate degree in music from the University of Michigan, did extended studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, received a master’s of music degree from Rice University and was a fellow in the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida.

In addition to her duties as principal bass, Bruya enjoys playing chamber music and teaching. She has collaborated with various chamber ensembles throughout the Twin Cities, Toronto and Nashville, and has performed at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and with Music from Angel Fire. She has presented master classes at New World Symphony, Northwestern University, Indiana University, the Peabody Institute and Michigan State, among others. Bruya was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Toronto and has also taught and performed as a visiting faculty member at the Aspen Music Festival.  From 2019-2022, she served as a member of New World Symphony’s Alumni Advisory Council, with the mission to connect alumni with each other and with current fellows.

Aside from music, Bruya is passionate about practicing and teaching 26 & 2 Hot Yoga. She received her 300-hour Level 1 OHYA teacher certification through Minneapolis Yoga, where she regularly practices and teaches.  She also enjoys cooking, reading, snowshoeing, and walking her dog around Minneapolis’ beautiful parks and lakes. She resides in south Minneapolis with her husband Andy Chappell, bass trombonist of the Minnesota Orchestra.