Layne Bruce (b. 2001) is an emerging composer originally from Spicewood, Texas and is now based in New York City. Bruce's music has been lauded as both bold and idiosyncratic, and has been played by ensembles such as The Jack Quartet, MACE Ensemble, and Mannes Orchestra. Recently, Bruce has been selected as one of five Texan composers to be admitted to the 2025 ISCM World Music Days in Portugal. Bruce has also won first prize in the 2024 Saad Haddad String Quartet Competition and was a finalists in the Vladimir Mendelssohn Composition Competition 3rd Edition (2024). Bruce's music tends to embrace a postmodern blend of medieval, spectral, pop, and minimalist influences along with his musical experiences growing up in rural Texas.
Bruce received his undergraduate degree from the Mannes College of Music in 2024, studying with the likes of Christopher Cerrone, Missy Mazzoli, David T. Little, and Timo Andres. In 2024, Bruce began ongoing lessons with composer Scott Wollschleger. In addition to composing, Bruce plays drums and piano, and had a recent performance at Town Hall (NYC) with the Trace It Back Ensemble. Bruce is also an active DJ/experimental producer in Brooklyn and has released music under the post-techno label Sour Sound Records.