Kate Bruns
Kate is pursing her Master of Music degree in oboe performance and literature at the Eastman School of Music. Her primary teachers include Richard Killmer, John Dee, and Pamela Ajango.
Kate recently graduated with highest honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a
Bachelor of Music in oboe performance and a minor in physics. While at Illinois, Kate performed as principal of the University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra and the University of Illinois Wind Symphony and also played in a variety of chamber ensembles. Through the school of music, she was awarded two Achievement Awards for excellence in playing and the Mark H. Hindsley Award for outstanding musical contribution to the symphonic bands. She was also a finalist in the 2020 University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra concerto competition.
Kate has performed with the Sinfonia da Camera chamber orchestra and the Millikan-Decatur Symphony Orchestra. In 2019, she attended the Eastern Music Festival where she was a finalist in the EMF concerto competition. Also in 2019, she was a finalist in the advanced division of the Miami of Ohio Loree Oboe Day competition. In 2018, Kate attended the Madeline Island Chamber Music Festival where she performed as part of the Libecchio Winds quintet.
Kate is a native of Carmel, Indiana. Aside from playing the oboe, she enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. She is excited to be an intern at the Eastman Community Music School.