A LIFE IN MUSIC

Music has taken me through a wide range of experiences—as a classical soloist, chamber musician, ensemble player, teacher, and performer in styles far beyond the concert hall. Each part of that journey has deepened the way I listen, interpret, and help students find their own connection to the guitar.

I spent six formative years studying with Aaron Shearer at the North Carolina School of the Arts, where I earned a master’s degree in classical guitar performance and pedagogy. Those years gave me a disciplined and thoughtful approach to technique, interpretation, and the lifelong process of learning. I later had the honor of performing the musical examples for Learning the Classic Guitar, Volume III: Interpretation, on the recording that accompanied the book.

Selected Performance Highlights

• Winner, Northwest Classical Guitar Festival Competition (1992) and North Carolina School of the Arts Concerto Competition (1989).

• Semifinalist, Guitar Foundation of America International Competition, Mérida, Mexico (2011).

• Guest soloist in Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and Concierto Madrigal, including a performance of the Madrigal with Angel Romero, and Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Concerto in D, Op. 99.

• Member of the Oregon Guitar Quartet for a decade and performer with Kristen Waligora in Duo Tenebroso.

Why I Teach

I have taught as adjunct faculty at several Oregon universities, but the moments I value most are often the smallest: when a student suddenly understands something that once seemed impossible, hears a phrase come alive, or discovers new confidence in their own ability.

I still get a real charge out of those moments of discovery. Passing along what my teachers shared with me is both a responsibility and an honor, and helping another person build a lasting relationship with music remains one of the most meaningful parts of my life.

Selected Google Reviews

WHAT STUDENTS SAY

"David has been such a fantastic instructor for me. I went from not knowing how to hold a guitar to now being able to memorize and play quite a few pieces. He's taught me so much about interpreting music, hand placement, fingering and all of the other intricacies of classical guitar. With so much patience and guidance, learning guitar has been so enjoyable and rewarding."

Joan Leong

"David can teach anything on the guitar. I've never mentioned a piece that he didn't know note by note, measure by measure, and couldn't teach with the most un-intimidating approach." 

Rod Cooper

“David is easy to get along with, patient, and extremely knowledgeable about the guitar. A top-notch teacher.”

Jane D

“David is an outstanding musician and an excellent teacher. I owe my progress up to now and my ambitions for the future to his guidance and example. If I could play like any guitarist he would be the one, with no close second contender. His musicality and virtuosity are unmatched, even among the world's many exemplary guitarists. Listen intently to the phrasing, dynamics and depth in his recordings, and try to remember everything he says about any aspect of playing. Years later something I heard from him long ago finally makes sense and I get a little closer to the grail. You can too! :-)”

Mike Wilcox

“Studying with David has been one of the highlights of my musical life. Great teacher. Great friend.”

Scott Strahm

“David knows so much about the instrument and it's repertoire across many styles. Beyond learning how to develop your practice sessions and physically play your favorite pieces, David can teach you why pieces are structured the way they are and how to balance the vision of the composer with your own artistic impulses.”

Toltec Strings

“David has such a patient and caring way of guiding as a teacher. Combine that with an encyclopedic knowledge of the guitar and music and you can't go wrong with him as your teacher.”

Kristen Waligora

“David is an exceptional teacher, with a deep knowledge of many musical styles. He is a very experienced performer, and his knowledge of the guitar is unparalleled. I would recommend him to anyone interested in guitar, from early beginners to advanced players looking to refine their craft.”

Emmet Bolls

“I took piano lessons in 1955 at the age of 6. I had a hard time learning to read music, went through a series of music teachers, ended up just playing by ear and eventually playing piano fell by the wayside as I grew up.

David and my late husband Brian were great friends and played Flamenco guitar together. When Brian passed away in 2020, David offered to teach me to learn to read musical notes. I am a senior now and David felt that learning to read music and playing piano again would help my cognitive function as I age.

I acquired a keyboard and we get together on Google Meet every week. David’s method of teaching is by far superior to my music teachers from my past. His knowledge is vast, yet his approach to teaching is fun, gentle with great patience. We started out with the bare basics of music theory and with an app he uses as a teaching tool, I have slowly learned to identify and play musical notes.

David never criticizes or gets frustrated when I struggle with certain elements, rather he encourages taking the learning process slow and easy. He is delighted when I get things correctly and generously compliments me when I do. He is also very considerate of my age and if my hands get tired or cramped we end the lesson and just chat. He gives me tips on how to practice what I’m learning.

I highly recommend David as a music teacher. He also has a keen sense of humor and we laugh a lot; he makes learning music a pleasure, rather than a chore. All in all, in my opinion, David is not only a gifted musician and teacher, he is an extraordinary human being.”

Kate Johnstone