The Quintet

Bruce Dean, Trumpet

Bruce Dean, Trumpet, co-founder of the Upstate Brass, is a businessman living in Greenville, SC. He began playing the trumpet at the age of 30 and nineteen years later returned to graduate school to receive professional music training in preparation for a Christian ministry. He performs frequently in various groups in the Greenville / Spartanburg area and serves in the music ministry at Community Baptist Church in Greer, SC. Bruce and his wife Dolly have three grown children and three grandchildren.

Matthew Cruice, Trumpet

Matthew Cruice, Trumpet, began his instrumental career in fifth grade and is currently a student at Bob Jones University majoring in Music Education with trumpet principle. He serves in the music ministry at Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville, SC. He is currently living in Taylors, SC.

Darian Washington, French Horn

Dr. Darian Washington, French Horn, is currently the Director of the Concert Band and Professor of Brass at North Greenville University. He holds a bachelor of music education degree from Augusta State University, master’s degree in horn performance from the University of Georgia, and a DMA from the University of Maryland. Dr. Washington has taught band at Harlem Middle School (GA) and was adjunct faculty at Augusta State University and University of South Carolina-Aiken, where he taught horn, chamber music, and music appreciation. During his time in the Augusta area, he maintained a pre-college and college-level horn studio, and many of those students have gone on to pursue music degrees at the Eastman School of Music, University of Georgia, University of Southern California, University of West Virginia, and University of South Carolina, and NGU. In the Washington, D.C. area, Darian was an active freelancer, performing with various ensembles, including the Washington Savoyards Light Opera Company and Dominion Brass Ensemble, a non-profit Christian brass group comprised primarily of musicians from area military bands. In addition to his duties at NGU, Darian works with several local band programs in the Greenville area and performs with the Hendersonville Symphony, Brevard Symphony, and Carolina Pops Orchestra. He has also performed with the Augusta Symphony and Augusta Choral Society. He is a member of MENC, the SC Music Educators Association, and International Horn Society. Darian, his wife Erin and son are members of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC.

Greg Sundt, Trombone / Euphonium

Greg Sundt, Trombone / Euphonium, lives in Greer, SC. He received degrees in music from Wayne State University and the Ohio State University. Along with his diverse business ventures, Greg teaches on the music faculty of North Greenville University and performs regularly in upstate bands, orchestras, and shows. He and Marcia have “only” eight children and are members of North Hills Community Church in Taylors, SC.

David LaPage, Tuba

David LaPage, Tuba, is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He received his B.Mus. in tuba performance and M.A. in speech from Bob Jones University and is currently working in the apartment industry. David and his wife, Sara attend Southside Fellowship in Greenville.