BIOGRAPHY

Torrance Buntyn Jr. is an emerging percussionist and educator whose work spans orchestral and solo performance, education, and advocacy. Known for his expressive artistry and commitment to expanding representation in classical music, he continues to build a career grounded in both excellence and community impact.​

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Originating from Jackson, Tennessee, Torrance’s musical journey began at a young age and has since led him across some of the country’s most respected training environments. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Tennessee State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), where he developed a foundation rooted in both performance and pedagogy.​

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He went on to earn his Master of Music in Percussion Performance from Southern Methodist University – Meadows School of the Arts, where he studied under George Nickson, Principal Percussionist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and Brian Jones, Principal Timpanist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.​

 

Following his Master’s degree, Torrance spent a gap year in Atlanta, Georgia, where he remained active as a performer, educator, and collaborator while continuing to refine his artistic direction. During this time, he also studied privately with Joseph Petrasek, Principal Percussionist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He then returned to Southern Methodist University to complete a Performance Diploma in Percussion Performance.​

 

Torrance will continue his graduate studies at the New England Conservatory, where he has been accepted into the Graduate Diploma program in Percussion Performance. There, he will study with Will Hudgins, Principal Percussionist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Tim Genis, Principal Timpanist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.​

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In addition to his academic training, Torrance has appeared in leading training programs, including the Pierre Monteux School and Music Festival, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, and the National Orchestral Institute, and the Ted Atkatz Percussion Seminar - Los Angeles Music Festival. He also trained as a film-scoring musician with the RISE Diversity Orchestra at Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles, reflecting a versatile approach to performance across orchestral and contemporary settings.​

Torrance’s performance experience includes appearances as a soloist with the Pasadena Community Orchestra, where he performed Allan Gordon Bell’s Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra, a significant milestone in his artistic development. Beyond the stage, he is deeply committed to advancing equity and access in classical music. He is actively involved with the Black Orchestral Network (BON), the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP), and the Network of Diversity in Concert Percussion (NDCP) as an Alumni Artist. As an ABOP Protégé, Torrance is mentored by distinguished artists including Raynor Carroll, retired Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Douglas Cardwell, former Principal Timpanist of the New Mexico Philharmonic.

 

With each performance and endeavor, Torrance Buntyn Jr. continues to expand the possibilities of orchestral percussion, building a career rooted in artistry, mentorship, and cultural impact.