Bruce was born in Toronto and began his musical studies in Peterborough. While still a teenager he moved to England to pursue studies in church music, holding organ scholarships at King’s School, Rochester, Christ’s College, Cambridge and Westminster Metropolitan Cathedral. He also undertook further studies in philosophy and theology, becoming actively engaged in pastoral ministry and lecturing in philosophy for many years. Before returning to Ontario to take up the post of Director of Music Ministries at Christ’s Church Cathedral, he was Director of Music at St Andrew’s Church, Aylestone, Leicester in the United Kingdom.