Bruce Passaretti is a musician and music educator in Montross Virginia. He is currently the Band Director at Montross Middle School and the Assistant Marching Band Director for the Westmoreland High School Eagle Band.

Bruce is originally from the Southern Tier of New York, where he grew up in a rural agricultural community. From age 13 to 21, he worked on his neighbor’s farm where he learned to work with his hands. On a farm, one learns to use whatever materials are available to finish a job.

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At age 18, Bruce went to Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania to study Music Education. After earning his Bachelor’s degree, he accepted a teaching job in Westmoreland County, Virginia. In 2021, he completed his Masters of Music in Music Education through Boston University.

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As a band teacher, Bruce has spent many hours repairing and maintaining instruments. Unfortunately, some instruments reach a point where they cost more to maintain or repair than to replace. Encountering a scenario such as this gave Bruce the idea of using “totaled” instruments for another purpose.

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Putting together his knowledge of instruments and skills learned from farming,  he began making instrument lamps as gifts for immediate family. Upcycling old instruments into lamps gives them a new purpose and brings a lively light fixture into any room.