Charles Bruffy

An American choral conductor, Charles Bruffy completed his undergraduate studies at Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, Missouri, earning a Bachelor's degree. He continued his training at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, where he received a Master's degree in voice. Artistic director of the Kansas City Chorale since 1988 and of the Phoenix Chorale since 1999, he also leads the Kansas City Symphony Chorus and serves as director of music at Rolling Hills Presbyterian Church. Known for his commitment to commissioning new works, Bruffy has led premieres of pieces by Libby Larsen, Stephen Paulus, Eric Whitacre, Jean Belmont, Matthew Harris, Zhou Long, Steven Sametz, Rene Clausen, and Chen Yi. He has appeared as a conductor in France, Australia, and South Korea, and his recordings have been released on the Nimbus and Chandos labels.