BIO
Originally from Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, Ashlyn Bruns is a professional musician and educator in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma, and currently serves as an Assistant Band Director at North Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas.
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During her studies at the University of Oklahoma, Mrs. Bruns performed with a variety of ensembles, including the Wind Symphony and Symphony Bands, The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, the 2019 OKMEA Intercollegiate Honor Band, and the Sound of the Sooners. As a lover of dance and movement, Mrs. Bruns began performing with Oklahoman folk musicians at local community English country and contra dances. She has appeared as a performer in Jacob Chen’s first recorded album, titled Cardinal. Mrs. Bruns has deep enthusiasm for diversity and cultural learning, especially traditional folk dance forms, and weaves those patterns into her classroom environment.
In the summer of 2022, Mrs. Bruns marched as Drum Major for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps. The following summer, she was a member of the corps’ administration team and now serves on the Board of Directors for the organization.
Mrs. Bruns is now in her third year of being an educator. Under her leadership, the North Mesquite Concert and Symphonic Bands have continued their tradition of earning first division UIL ratings each year. She has fostered consistent growth in the NMHS Color Guard’s retention and recruitment, resulting in a 100% increase of membership and the addition of a second winter guard. Moreover, Mrs. Bruns oversees the Big Blue Band’s social media platforms, maintains the uniform inventory, and serves as a photographer for the organization. The 2023 Big Blue Band qualified for and, for the first time in school history, performed at the Texas State UIL Marching Competition. Building upon that success, the 2024 Big Blue Band won the Area C UIL Marching Competition and again advanced to the Texas UIL State Marching Competition. The 2025 Big Blue Band performed at the state level in San Antonio again this past fall.
Mrs. Bruns currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband Vikas. Outside of the classroom, she loves language learning, traveling to new locations, and attending regional contra dance events.