Russ Petroni was with Cirque du Soleil for over 15 years and most recently served as the Producer for 'One Night for ONE DROP' in Las Vegas. Throughout his career at Cirque du Soleil, Russ has been a part of several projects within the company such as the Assistant Company Manager of “Zaia” in Macau, “O” and “Zumanity” in Las Vegas, as well as the Director of Lifestyle Projects, creating the department within the CdS’s Resident Shows Division. For five years he participated as a coach in Cirque du Soleil’s Cirque du Monde workshops working with youth at risk. Prior to joining Cirque, Russ was a professional musician and maintained a private flute studio. He subbed for ‘Phantom’ at the Venetian in Las Vegas, was a member of the Las Vegas Woodwind Quintet and performed with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. He received his Master of Music, Flute Performance, from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he was a student of Timothy Day.
His awards include: Winner of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concerto Competition, Winner of the Festival Institute at Round Top Concerto Competition, First Place for the Reno Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition, two-time winner of the UNLV Departmental Concerto Competition, voted UNLV’s Outstanding Graduating Senior in Music Performance, and Won the Outstanding Graduate Student in Woodwinds at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He was twice selected as a fellowship winner to participate in the International Festival Institute at Round Top, where he performed as Principal Flute. He has performed in master classes for well-known flutists such as Doriot Anthony Dwyer and Jean-Pierre Rampal. Former teachers include Bernard Z. Goldberg, and Damian Bursil-Hall.
Russ is happy to join Dima in introducing people to an alternative way to fitness.
