Trumpeter RYAN BERNDT brings both brilliance and depth to the stage, equally at home in the dazzling virtuosity of the baroque trumpet and the versatility of its modern counterpart. Principal trumpet of Chicago’s Haymarket Opera Company and a frequent guest with Apollo’s Fire, Berndt is a dynamic voice in the growing field of historical performance.

Recent solo appearances include Telemann’s Concerto in D Major for Violin, Cello, and Trumpet with Bella Voce’s Sinfonia—praised by Chicago on the Aisle for his “vibrant trumpet [that] set a distinctive stamp”—and Telemann’s Overture Suite in D with Bach in the City. With Haymarket Opera, he has been heard in Handel’s La Resurrezione and Vinci’s Artaserse, the latter earning recognition from Classical Voice North America as one of the standout performances in the ensemble’s acclaimed pit orchestra.

A former member of the Gaudete Brass Quintet, Berndt’s work extends into chamber music, recording, and orchestral playing. He has recorded for Cedille Records, appeared in projects for Netflix and Amazon Prime, and contributed to the soundtrack of American Traitor (starring Al Pacino). Dedicated to education as well as performance, he leads the trumpet department at the Merit School of Music in Chicago.

Hailed by Gramophone Magazine as “versatile, superb, and committed,” Berndt brings a vibrant blend of historical insight, technical brilliance, and expressive warmth to everything he plays.