Learn more about the outstanding musicians of Division Brass!
David Nakazono- Trumpet
Growing up as an Army Brat, David Nakazono pulls from his international experiences to bring a unique voice and perspective to his music. David is currently a regular member in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Concurrently, he is also pursuing a Performance Diploma in Orchestral Studies at the Chicago College of Performing Arts (Roosevelt) under Mark Ridenour (CSO) and Neal Berntsen (PSO), where he also received his Masters of Music in Orchestral Studies. Additionally, David holds a B.M. in Trumpet Performance and a B.A. in Physics from the University of California- Santa Barbara (UCSB). At UCSB, David founded the Pops Orchestra at UCSB, exploring and developing his talents beyond performance.
David Nakazono has varied performance experience with various ensemble including the National Repertory Orchestra, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Music Center Orchestra, Young Musician’s Foundation Debut Chamber Orchestra, the Santa Monica Symphony, the Lakeview Orchestra, the Now Hear Ensemble, Connexion Band, Classical Revolution, the Chicago Brass Band, and as a founding member of Division Brass. David attributes his success and growth as a musician to his trumpet teachers, which include: Mark Ridenour, Neal Berntsen, Grant Hungerford, Jon Lewis, Malcolm McNab, Kenneth Capshaw, Friedhelm Biessecker, Jason Ortiz, and supporting parents who kickstarted his musical education. |
Bryant Millet- Trumpet
Growing up in Westford, Massachusetts, Bryant Millet was first inspired to pick up the trumpet at the age of six after watching the Empire Brass Quintet perform on the PBS series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. For most of his time in Westford he studied with Dana Russian, a freelance musician active in the Boston area. Bryant holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University where he studied with Charles Geyer, Barbara Butler and Christopher Martin, and is pursuing a master's degree in orchestral studies at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where he is a student of Neal Berntsen, Channing Philbrick and Mark Ridenour.
Bryant currently performs as a regular member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and has also performed with Axiom Brass, Chicago Symphonic Winds, the Lakeview Orchestra, Chicago Metropolitan Brass Ensemble, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra and the Wheaton Municipal Band. He can also be heard playing trumpet and piccolo trumpet with the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble on their 2011 CD Rising. Bryant is also an avid theatre musician and has played in several professional productions throughout the Chicago area. Bryant lives in Chicago where he is active as a freelance musician and arranger. In his spare time he enjoys playing guitar and bass guitar, songwriting, composing, cooking, and researching little known composers and works. |
Thomas Vienna- Horn
Thomas Vienna is a hornist working in the greater Chicagoland area. Raised in Northwest Indiana, Thomas has graduated from Roosevelt University, Indiana University, and Valparaiso University with degrees in horn performance. He has previously studied with David Griffin, Jon Boen, Dale Clevenger, Richard Seraphinoff, Jeff Nelsen, and John Schreckengost.
Thomas has played with a number of professional ensembles, currently playing Assistant Principal Horn with the Wisconsin Philharmonic and 2nd horn with the Chicago Arts Orchestra. He has an active freelance career on modern horn as well as the historical "natural horn" with period ensembles. Thomas continually expands his horizons by attending music festivals, playing in Roosevelt's Large Jazz Ensemble, and filling in once for lead "trumpet" in the musical rock ensemble Project Two. Thomas is especially pleased that his love of music has taken him various places around the world. Aside from French Horn, Thomas also enjoys entertaining on piano and trying new instruments, composing, board games, and eating too much Italian food. |
Brian Johnston- Trombone
Brian Johnston is a freelance trombonist and teacher in the Chicago area. His positions include 2nd Trombonist of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Regular Member with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and Substitute with the New World Symphony. He has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Rockford Symphony, West Michigan Symphony, and Illinois Symphony Orchestra. Currently, Brian is on faculty at the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Oak Park School of Music, and Logos School of Music. His teachers have included Jay Friedman, John Rojak, John Faieta, and Reed Capshaw. apart from trombone, Brian is a car enthusiast, avid biker, beer lover, active traveller, and lover of various different types of music.
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Brad Geneser- Tuba
Brad began his musical journey at a Chicago Symphony concert in his childhood. Captivated by the power and beauty of the CSO brass section, Brad fell in love with the Tuba. Driven to perfect his art, Brad is currently pursuing his Bachelor's of Music in Tuba Performance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University under the tutelage of Gene Pokorny, Charles Schuchat, and Scott Tegge. Along this musical journey, Brad has also developed a passion for Musicology and has taken on a Minor in History.
Throughout Brad's extensive training, he has had the opportunity to perform for artists including Yo-Yo MA, Eighth Blackbird, Neal Berntsen, Yasuhito Sugiyama, and Don Harry in masterclasses and lessons. As a budding freelance musician in Chicago, Brad can be heard on the tuba in the premier of Teddy Niedermeir's Grand Teton and has served as the Principal Tuba for the Wheaton Pops Orchestra in 2017. Beyond the stage, you may find Brad making and drinking coffee at Starbucks, reading music history textbooks, or listening to podcasts. |