John Gruber

Biography

John Gruber’s teaching career has included posts at Ohio State University, Siena Heights University, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Youth Ensembles, and the public school system in Barnesville, Ohio, where he served as band director. He is also a faculty member of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

In addition to teaching, Gruber maintains an active performing career as principal trombonist in the Akron Symphony Orchestra and the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, as well as second trombone in the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Other orchestra engagements have included the Toledo Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, Adrian Symphony, Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, the Galliard Brass, and the Brass Band of Battle Creek.

Gruber was the National First Prize winner in the Brass Division of the 2010 Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition.

Born and raised in Bowling Green, Ohio, he earned a BME in instrumental music education at Bowling Green State University. He added an MM and DMA in trombone performance at the University of Michigan, where he also completed a cognate in wind conducting.

Gruber’s teachers have included David Jackson, William Mathis, Dan Saygers, Michael Haithcock, and Garth Simmons.

John Gruber is an Edwards Artist.