Biography

Back to Berlin

After six seasons as an ensemble member at the Theater Vorpommern in Stralsund, Dave moves back to Berlin in December 2025 to continue his freelance work.

Stralsund

In February 2020, just two weeks before the first Covid-19 lockdown in Germany, Dave moved to Stralsund to join the ensemble at Theater Vorpommern, which performs in Stralsund, Greifswald, and Putbus in the north-German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

As performances were able to start up again, Dave became a busy and valued member of the team. As well as tackling favorites of the opera, musical, and operetta repertoire over six seasons, Dave was able to continue working on more modern pieces like Glanert's Drei Wasserspiele, Britten's Midsummer Night's Dream, and Hartmann's Simplicius Simplicissiumus.

Dave brought his composing and conducting skills with him to Theater Vorpommern, and collaborated on the development of several theater pieces: Talk to Me!, Welcome to the Magic Elevator, and No Murders in the Opera. As well as conducting and playing staging rehearsals, Dave performed with the Philharmonic Orchestra Vopommern on and below the stage, and performed many chamber music concerts with his colleagues.

During his time in the ensemble, Dave was able to take part in a number of exciting guest projects, particularly with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, where he worked as musical assistant to Marc Albrecht for the 2023-24 production of Benjamin's Written on Skin. He has also appeared regularly in the Tischlerei of Deutsche Oper, where he has been musical director of the world premiere of Arne Gieshoff's Bärin. During his time at Theater Vorpommern, Dave also guested at Opera de Tenerife and took part in the O Festival in Rotterdam.

Dave is proud to have supported his partner Lisa's project Women Who Composed, which, beginning with livestreamed concerts from their apartment during the pandemic, has turned into an extensive blog and research project.

Berlin

After a quick stop off in Virginia to get married, Dave moved together with his partner Lisa Newill-Smith from Manchester to Berlin.

As well as continuing to train and study piano privately, Dave began a busy life of freelance performing, coaching, and arranging. His work took him across Germany, performing with established theaters, choirs, and orchestras, as well as independent groups and individuals.

Collaborations include Deutsche Oper Berlin, Europa Chor Akademie, Indemini Festival, Cultura Immanuel Regensburg, Skycradle Hamburg, Alltagsoper, Passagio Oper, the Diplomatic Choir Berlin, the Embassy Singers, Amici Arts, Balance Arts Berlin, Neue Philharmonie.

Manchester

University of Manchester

MMus Composition

MusB(Hons) Music

As a student of the University of Manchester, David was awarded a first class Bachelor of Music with honors in 2012, followed by a Master of Composition in 2014. In his undergraduate studies he completed courses on accompanying, performance practice, solo performance, composition, aesthetics.

He was a busy member of the Manchester University Music Society, performing in orchestral and choral concerts, theatrical productions, and taking on the role of secretary to the society.

He continued to perform with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, and worked as musical director of Chimera Opera Group in Rochdale, where he met his partner Lisa Newill-Smith while working on Hansel and Gretel.

In his free time David worked as a maths tutor with the Tutor Trust and volunteered as a youth mentor with Reach Out!.

Glasgow

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Dave didn't start making music until he was in secondary school. At the High School of Glasgow Dave was able to begin with the tuba, followed quickly by singing and piano lessons. A love for music grew quickly, and Dave studied Higher and Advanced Higher music at school. He was admitted to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly R.S.A.M.D.) Junior programme, and began performing with youth ensembles across Scotland, including the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the National Youth Choir of Scotland. He began singing with the choir of St. Mary's Cathedral Glasgow. Even as a teenager, Dave began accompanying and leading rehearsals for community choirs in Glasgow.

In his final year Dave was named Young Musician of the Year at the High School of Glasgow. After finishing school Dave took a year to refine his skills and passed ABRSM grade 8 exams in tuba, piano, and voice with distinction.