Bruce Uchimura is Professor of Cello was Director of the Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra for 22 years. He was Associate Conductor of the Augusta (Georgia) Symphony Orchestra from 1985-87 where he developed a highly successful Symphonic Pops and Educational Series. He also formed and conducted the Western String Chamber Orchestra from 1987-1998. In 1998, he took over the Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra. The WMU Orchestra won the Downbeat Magazine Award for Best College Symphony Orchestra in 2005, and was invited to perform at the Michigan Music Educator’s Conference in 2007 and 2016. The WMU Orchestra was the third place winner in the 2015 “American Prize” media based competition’s Best College Orchestra category.
 

Mr. Uchimura is in much demand as an educator and clinician and has guest conducted numerous All-State and Honors Orchestras throughout
the country. He was trained at the Juilliard School and the Cleveland Institute of Music and was Cellist of the highly acclaimed Merling Trio
(with his wife, Pianist, Susan Wiersma-Uchimura and Violinist Renata Artman-Knific). He has played Cello recitals and given master classes
throughout the United States and was a charter faculty member at the ENCORE School for Strings Summer program. He is also on the faculty
of the ARIA Summer Music Academy and The International Cello Institute. He was awarded “String Teacher of the Year” by the American String Teachers Association Michigan Chapter in 2010.
 

Mr. Uchimura’s WMU and private cello students have gone on to impressive university, conservatory and graduate programs as well as securing professional jobs in orchestras and teaching positions. Mr. Uchimura serves as the advisor to the WMU/ American String Teachers Association Student Chapter and is strong advocate of entrepreneurship
in music.