Brad Payne was born in Connecticut and grew up in Arizona. As a child, he sang in church choirs and school productions, he started playing trombone in sixth grade, and he graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in bass trombone performance. His performance credits include three years with the Orquestra Sinfonica Brasileira, in Rio de Janeiro, four years with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and 30 years with the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. He is also a frequent performer at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest. For 27 years, he taught beginning band in several local area school districts, including 21 years in Woodridge. During that time, he earned a masters degree in education, from Northeastern Illinois University. He lives in Glen Ellyn with his wife (Bea) and a feisty terrier (Norm). He enjoys gardening and a variety of outdoor activities.

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BA, Bass Trombone Performance

MA, Education