David Vance - Trombone

picture copyrighted 2007 by William Berndt, Top Hat Photography

David earned his Master of Trombone Performance degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory. He received his Bachelor of Music Education, Cum Laude, from Virginia Commonwealth University where he received the VCU School of the Arts Award for Excellence in Music Education and Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. David grew up in Roanoke, Virginia before attending VCU in Richmond, and finally moving to the Midwest.

David is the founder and director of the music program at Alta Vista Charter School in Kansas City. David is also a member of the internationally acclaimed Fountain City Brass Band, the Kansas City Puccini Festival, and the Lee’s Summit Symphony where he plays principal trombone. In addition David teaches privately and freelances around the Kansas City Metro area.

While at UMKC, David played tenor and alto trombone in the UMKC Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Boulevard Brass Quintet, Graduate Trombone Quartet and Trombone Ensemble, as well as euphonium in the Wind Ensemble. He also played lead trombone in the 11:00 O’clock Jazz Band where he was featured as a soloist, and he was a regular sub in Bobby Watson's Concert Jazz Ensemble. In the summer of 2006, David traveled with his brass quintet to the hurricane-affected areas of Louisiana and gave performances, which raised over $2,000 to donate to hurricane relief efforts.

David has performed solo with the Richmond Pops Band, and was soloist and founding member of the Upper East Side Big Band in Richmond, Virginia. He previously played principal trombone with the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, Richmond Pops Band, Ash Lawn Opera Orchestra, and the 2005 Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma National Intercollegiate Band. He has also performed with groups at the American Bandmaster's Association, the International Trombone Festival, and the Pentagon. In the meantime, David enjoys gourmet coffee, books, biking, cars, computers, do-it-yourself projects, and the outdoors. He is also a big fan of cooking and going to the dog park with his future wife Lindsay (8-2-08), and dog, Iggy.