David is a classical guitarist who is currently reading for a PhD in Music (Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge). He completed his MPhil in Music Studies (High Pass) (Sidney Sussex College, University of Cambridge) in 2018, and obtained his BA in Music (First Class Honours) (University College, University of Durham) in 2016.
During his time at the University of Cambridge, David has been the Masters Student Representative at the Faculty of Music, and Postgraduate Music Representative at Sidney Sussex College. During his time at the University of Durham, David was Conductor/President of Durham University College Orchestra, President of the New Art Music Ensemble, and Electric Guitarist for Durham University College Big Band.
Previously, David worked as Media Coordinator for Music Durham (2015-16), and taught at Mount Kelly School (2016-17). Presently, he is pursuing a career as a Lecture Recitalist, combining his interests in composition, performance, research, and teaching.
David possesses a rich repertoire of Baroque, Classical, Contemporary, Latin-American, Percussive, Popular, Romantic and Spanish music, and frequently performs solo recitals around the country. He is an artistic and confident musician who has made nearly 100 concert appearances in a variety of venues, from the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Passionate about ensemble performance, David has also collaborated with cellists, choirs, clarinetists, flautists, guitarists, guitar orchestras, harpists, percussionists, pianists, recorder players, singers, violinists, and made appearances on stage with notable artists such as Dame Emma Kirkby and the Military Wives.
In recent years David has benefited from lessons and masterclasses with some of the world's leading musicians including: Alison Smith (University of Plymouth, UK), Carlos Bonell (Royal College of Music, UK), Dame Emma Kirkby (UK), Daniela Rossi (Argentina), Diego Castro Magas (Catholic University of Chile, Chile), Graham Devine (Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, UK), Hector Sequera (University of Durham, UK), Ian Cross (University of Cambridge, UK), Jacob Heringman (UK), John Mills (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, UK), John Rink (University of Cambridge, UK), John Snijders (University of Durham, UK), Máximo Diego Pujol (Argentina), Miloš Karadaglić (Montenegro), and Mine Doğantan-Dack (University of Cambridge, UK).
Competition success has included reaching the final round of the Two Moor's Festival Young Musician’s Platform Competition, achieving a Distinction at the Plymouth Festival of Music, Speech and Drama on consecutive years (winning the Mabel Stoyel Memorial Cup on both occasions), and coming second in the Plymouth Young Composer of the Year competition.
He is an artistic and confident musician who also performs as one half of Duo Palatino, with mezzo-soprano Sophie Kidwell.
His Masters dissertation was entitled "Classifying physical gestures in live performance of Manuel de Falla's Siete Canciones populares Españolas for classical guitar", and his PhD research is "Collaborative Creativity in Classical Guitar Performance: ‘Reassessing the Role of Accompanist’".
David is available to perform solo recitals, or provide atmospheric music for events such as birthdays, christenings, festivals, private functions, special occasions, weddings etc...
