Growing up in rural north-central Minnesota, Russell’s fascination with movie music started at an early age.  No matter the activity, be it throwing a football around or building a fort in the nearby woods, there was always an accompanying soundtrack playing in Russ’s head.

Piano studies started in middle school, where he picked up the Trombone and Euphonium under the most excellent tutelage of the local band teacher, Charlie Johnson. Russell’s trombone skills led him to the Minnesota Youth Symphonies Orchestra, and to conductor Manny Laureano, who became a huge influence and encouraged his composing. Russell graduated from the University of Minnesota, studying composition with Dominick Argento and Alex Lubet, and piano with Duncan McNab and Paul Shaw.  At age 30, Russell finally decided to follow his dream and move to California after being accepted to the USC Film Scoring Graduate Program.

Since, Russell has been a frequent collaborator with writer/director Patrick Coyle, scoring films Unholy Communion and Into Temptation as well as Coyle’s stage production, The Big Blue River.  Other scoring credits include an Emmy-winning docuseries, America’s Wall, for KPBS in San Diego.  He has composed many concert works that have been performed nationally.  Russell currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and wishes to give special thanks to all of his friends, family, and mentors, without whom none of this would be possible.