Bio

David Gladstein is a multifaceted musician based in Connecticut, performing all throughout New England. He is a pianist that specializes in jazz and pop music, and he is also a trained tenor. In addition to being a performer, he is also an educator. He recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in Music with a Jazz Emphasis, a B.S. in Music Education, and a Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from UConn's Neag School of Education to earn his K-12 teaching certification. He is now the choral and general music teacher at Windsor Locks Middle School, CT.

David grew up in Canton, Connecticut where his love of music unfolded through countless experiences. He has arranged music for his high school choir, and conducted several of the choral ensembles in concert. In addition, he was the director of the school's low voices a cappella ensemble, the Cantones. During his time at Canton, he also studied piano privately at the University of Hartford with Greg Babal.

While at UConn, he studied both jazz piano and voice, and performed with the university's Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, and others. He’s studied piano with a wide array of instructors such as Earl MacDonald, Angelina Gadeliya and Steven Bulmer, studied voice with Rod Nelman, and has studied conducting with Jamie Spillane. During his time in undergrad, David has had lots of experience in leadership capacities. He has held positions as the President of UConn’s National Association for Music Education Chapter (NAfME), and as the President and co-founder of UConn’s Freestyle Rap Club. He was also heavily involved in the university's ACDA chapter.

Outside of school, David has worked endlessly to continue to hone his craft. He is a driven learner, and is especially passionate and enthusiastic about conducting. He has had the opportunity to sing in The Vernon Chorale as well as becoming the 2022-2024 conducting fellow under the artistic director Ehren Brown. David has also been able to shadow and connect with various renowned educators such as Roger Emerson, Mark Singleton, Russ Hammond, Jeremy Wiggins, John Mastroianni, and many others. These inspirations, plus countless others, have helped him cultivate knowledge and skills necessary in order to build his dream classroom as a teacher. As a teacher, he wants to build a classroom that is both boldly progressive, yet responsible. A space where students learn a myriad of lessons through music, and a cross-disciplined approach enables them to think more critically and creatively in and outside their daily classrooms. He wants his classroom to be built not around what the teacher wants, but what the students need.

After his master’s year, David aspires to be a high school choir director. During his teaching career, he is planning to continue his life as a performer as well. He enjoys frequently performing at weddings, cocktail hours, businesses, and other private and public events.