RPO-David-Bruestle

David Bruestle

Principal, The Austin E. Hildebrandt Chair

Joined the RPO in 2016

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, David Bruestle joined the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in May, 2017 as Principal Trombone, after serving as Acting Principal Trombone since October, 2016.

David previously studied at the Eastman School of Music where he received a Bachelor of Music with High Distinction and was awarded the Performer’s Certificate. At Eastman, David had the privilege of studying with Dr. John Marcellus, international recording artist and former principal trombone of the National Symphony Orchestra. He then received his Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he studied with Dr. Per Brevig, a 26-year member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.\

David returned to Eastman to pursue the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts, studying with Mark Kellogg, his predecessor as principal trombone of the RPO, completing his course of study in May 2015. Before joining the RPO, David held the position of second trombone with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and principal trombone with the Erie Philharmonic. He has performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphoria (Syracuse). David is honored to have participated in multiple recordings with the Eastman Wind Ensemble and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

David resides in the Browncroft neighborhood with his wife Katie, an Eastman graduate in horn performance, who is currently pursuing an MD/PhD degree at the University of Rochester. In addition to playing the trombone, David enjoys cooking, birding, and cycling.