Bruce Uchimura is Professor of Cello and Director of the Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra. 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. Mr. Uchimura was Cellist of the highly acclaimed Merling Trio that performed hundreds of concerts over their thirty-year concert career. The Merling Trio also commissioned numerous compositions and recorded 5 CDs of the major repertoire. He has played Cello recitals and given master classes throughout the United States and was a charter faculty member at the legendary ENCORE School for Strings Summer program from 1985 to 2007. He is also on the faculty of the ARIA Summer Music Academy. 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 major teaching positions. Mr. Uchimura has served as the advisor to the WMU/ American String Teachers Association Student Chapter and is strong advocate of entrepreneurship in music.