Meet Reid Bruton | Voice Teacher and Professional Classical Singer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Reid Bruton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reid, how does your business help the community?
As an experienced classical singer and voice teacher not only am I able to help young gifted singers achieve a professional level vocal technique but I also can introduce them to the people who could potentially hire them. I help students become professional musicians… making a living with the vocal gift they were given and the technique I help them develop. Many of my students sing with me on the soundtracks of movies or in productions at Los Angeles Opera or with the L.A. Master Chorale and LA Phil at Disney Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Others have gone on to international careers of their own.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me slightly apart is that I’ve been performing on stage with many of the greatest operatic singers of our time for almost 25 years now. Being in the LA Opera Chorus has been my greatest learning experience as a teacher .. outside of my private studies. I witness first hand, what works and unfortunately sometimes, what does not work so well vocally. This is a huge part of my teaching… the observations I’ve made over the years of singing with great singers. And even in the pop world… singing back-up for Barbara Streisand, Adele, Lady Gaga, Michael Buble’, Seth MacFarlane…. these are huge talents in their own right. I’m so fortunate to have a hugely varied professional music career. But none of this was handed to me. I worked hard for it throughout my 20’s. I often remind my students who are in their 20’s that I did not make a penny as a professional singer until I was 32 years old. It took me that long to hone in on my craft. After the age of 20, I paid for my own musical education. I also worked in a law firm… It was a tough time. But I made wise decisions and studied extremely hard and I now have two very active careers as a Voice Teacher and a Professional Singer. What would I want people to know about me?? That I made a successful career and a comfortable life for myself with the talent I was born with and the knowledge I sought to learn. It’s not as often that I have students who come with the hunger to learn the craft of classical singing. All too often, they’re looking for an easy fix. The beauty of any Art is the “process”. Learning HOW to sing and express at your absolute best, technically and artistically… this is my passion which I hope to infuse into others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t need to go far for beauty and comfort in Los Angeles. I moved into a Historic District in the northern part of Glendale at the very beginning of the pandemic. I love going for long walks in the foothills of my own neighborhood… waving to the coyotes as they pass by at dusk. I’m also a huge fan of Descanso Gardens and Huntington Gardens. The Glendale Galleria is also nearby. But if I had a visitor come to LA… I would probably take them to Musso & Franks in Hollywood. The dusty, old Hollywood charm of that place is timeless. Runyon Canyon is a must for any visitor who’s willing to hike up a hill. And, of course, there is Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and the Opera House which provide us with great music… plus a huge array of other live music that happens in Los Angeles on a nightly basis. We are fortunate to have such a concentration of great musicians in LA. I would encourage anyone who is visiting to check out a concert or an opera at any of our beautiful venues.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Judith “Giuditta” Natalucci is responsible for the fact that I make my living as a singer. She is my long-term voice teacher and mentor. She is also the reason I have achieved success as a voice teacher. I first met Judy in the 1990’s and immediately after working with her I started getting work as a singer. Also, Grant Gershon the Artistic Director (conductor) of the L.A. Master Chorale and former Chorus Master at L.A. Opera, has given me numerous solo opportunities at Disney Hall, the Hollywood Bowl and L.A. Opera. He believed in me as a soloist in a way that I had not yet believed in myself. The L.A. Master Chorale is where my musical heart feels most at home… my family… mostly because of the extremely gifted human that is Grant Gershon. That said, L.A. Opera was the first place to hire me as a professional singer. Everything I have achieved was possible because of my involvement with this wonderful company. I was first hired to sing on a movie soundtrack because someone heard me at the Opera. I’ve since sung on the soundtracks of over 200 films. The soundtrack world is now my main source of income. If they need a low note… I’m usually called. But it all started with L.A. Opera and my mentor, “Giuditta” Natalucci.

Website: ReidBruton.com

Youtube: Reid Bruton