David J.

David graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Music and Chemistry from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western Reserve University in 2010, and his Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2013 at the age of 26.

David's early piano instruction began with his first teacher Beverly K. Mark in 1996. He then later moved onto the delightful studio of Eleanor and Lee Santo from 1. His pre-college studies were taken with Dr. Brenda Wristen from 2. David had also taken master's classes during his high school period with Dr. James Johnson. During David's undergraduate career at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio his primary piano instructor was Dr. Sean Schulze from 2 and he had studied composition with Dr. Monica Houghton from 2. While at the institute in Ohio the professors whom he had studied with for keyboard repertory seminars/Master's classes were Dr. Dana Gooley (2005), Dr. Mary Davis (2006), and Dr. Dror Biran (2). While in graduate school at UNO David had studied piano with Dr. James Johnson.

From earning outstanding solo awards in the Elkhorn Music Olympics and Bellevue East Jazz Festivals to consecutive years at 'superior' in the Mid-America Music Association recitals David was a past talent in the NSMO Competitions, OMTA Young Artist Competitions, Independent Music Teacher Playoffs, and more.was a two-time guest performer in the 17th and 18th annual Robert M. Spire Celebration of Keyboard Arts, 2012 Honorable mention (West central division), 2 national finalist in the MTNA Composition Competition, a 2012 winner in the NFMC Piano Competition, performer in the 2011 NMTA young artist piano competition, winner of the young artist division in the 2013 NMTA Composition Competition and guest performer at the 2013 winners recital. Aside from piano, David also plays a wide variety of percussion instruments. He played the Xylophone, Marimba, and assorted percussion with the Millard North High School marching band, Wind Ensemble, and Case Western Symphonic ensembles. David performed in Jazz bands not only at Millard North, but at Case Western Reserve, and in numerous private ensembles, groups, and events in Ohio such as the Case Symphonic Winds, Case Western Jazz Ensemble 2, C.W.R.U. Performing arts, C.W.R.U. Keyboard Repertory Seminars, multiple exclusive concerts, benefit concerts, private performances, guest performances, competitions, collaborations, and more. David has even performed and recorded with multiple World Music ensembles playing such instruments as the Indian Harmonium, African Djembe Drums, and Chinese Erhu.

From early shadow-teaching, and tutoring, David has taught several years in a private setting, as well as group piano class setting while teaching for a local non-profit. In graduate school further focus was placed upon pedagogical studies and approaches to teaching under such professors as Dr. James Johnson, Dr. Roger Foltz, and Dr. Joan Reist. Arts for All Nebraska, and the ARTIST Music Center of Maryland is where David gained his group teach experience, and refined his digital classroom format.