BIOGRAPHY

David W. Cook, is an International Multi-Award-Winning American Tenor, Telly Award-Winner, Recitalist, & Philosopher whose work has been described as singing with “artistic vision, commitment, and a superb stage presence”. Singing with versatility, David’s dynamic voice has been described as “rich, sumptuous, & powerful” (VAMS). 

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David was a student of the late renowned dramatic soprano and vocal pedagogue, Betti McDonald, and worked extensively with Betti's protege, Kristen Halliday under The Institute for Musical Arts where his vocal pedagogy training was learned and cultivated. After finishing his training with the Institute, David continued his vocal training at Frostburg State University, notably working with sopranos: Marianna Mihai-Zoeter, & Victoria Browers, while completing his philosophical study in Existentialism and finished at the university with a degree in Philosophy. Currently, David works periodically with acclaimed American Tenor, Gran Wilson at University of Maryland.

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David's extensive work and study in vocal pedagogy is deeply rooted and in correlation with his training as a philosopher. As an artist, he sets out to promote mastery, both personally and musically. He uses his training as a philosopher and singer to foster a deeper connection through his expression. In his mission of sharing outwardly, the gifts that have been bestowed, whether it be in sharing joy, balm, peace, happiness, understanding, or grace, he strives to be a beacon that is connected to our times; influencing by sharing of his gifts outwardly, in creating a better world. David strives to embody a lifestyle of questioning the status quo: always keeping an active skeptical mind, encouraging curiosity about life, singing, and what it means to be an engaged artist. He leads by example, living a life that embodies mastering our gifts, and the life long journey of mastering the self; David's philosophy of having awareness and accountability of our thoughts, our actions, our words, our candor, and character, are interchangeable with his approach to the life of a singer, and the embodiment of what it means to be an impactful and influential artist, in a time that so desperately needs our voices, our experiences, our love, our authenticity, & our expression.

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In Concert works, David has most recently recorded a debut cycle of compositions from British composer, Tristan Latchford, titled “Celebrating Women in the Bible”; this CD project is in partnership with the published poetries by retired bishop, The Right Reverend, Dr. Graham Kings, inspired by the paintings of renowned painter, Silvia Dimitrova. The CD’s will be distributed worldwide and have plans for tours both in Europe & the United States. David has also debuted American composer Scott Rieker’s vocal composition “Benediction”. David has sung as the tenor soloist in Beethoven's Choral Fantasy, Op. 80, under the baton of Dr. James Reddan, and has also sung as the tenor soloist in John Rutter’s Gloria with the Cumberland Choral Society.  He was the tenor soloist in Mozart's Coronation Mass under the baton of Maestra Elizabeth Schulz, accompanied by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, and is currently preparing for Handel’s Messiah as tenor soloist with the Chesapeake Choral Arts Society under the baton of Maestro Leroy Pressley. David is looking forward to his Switzerland Debut, a premier concert with renowned soprano, Olga Romanko for the Tiziano Rossetti Music Festival, and being featured at the Rocky Mountain Music Festival in Canada, summer 2023. 

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In upcoming performances, David is happily anticipating his debut as Captain Von Trapp, in the classic musical, The Sound Of Music with the Newtowne Players under the baton of Pateley Bongiorni-Cook in the Winter of 2023. Most recently, David made his debut of Alfredo from La Traviata with La Musica Lirica, under the baton of Marcello Cormio in Baraboo Wisconsin. Previously, David has sung the role of Ernesto from Don Pasquale, Spoletta from Tosca (both with Hub Opera Company), and Bill from the American opera, Hand of Bridge. David has also performed partial opera roles including Romeo from Romeo e Juliette, Sou-Chong from Das Land Des Lächelns, Nadir from Pearl Fisher, Paolino from Il Matrimonio Segreto, and Camille from The Merry Widow. 

 

David is a participant in the summer program La Musicia Liria, based in Italy, working with director Brygida Bziukiewicz, and artist director Maestro Joseph Rescigno. He is a participant of SongFest, a recognized & respected institution for new compositions and art songs, where he performed a selection from Leonard Bernstein's, West Side Story singing Tony, under the baton of renowned conductor Michael Barrett; notably, also working with renowned vocal pedagogue William McGraw, and coached with internationally acclaimed pianist and coach, Dr. Alan Smith. David was also a participant in Washington National Opera’s institute, notably working with renowned coach and stage director Cindy Oxberry, among other respected faculty and artists at Washington National Opera.

 

Most recently, David was a recipient of the esteemed & prestigious 45th Annual Telly Award for his cooking series, "Cooking with Maestro Cook"! He is the recipient of the Gold Award for voice from the World Classical International Music Competition, and is also the first prize winner for voice from the North International Music Competition based in Sweden. David was also awarded first prize for voice from the Rocky Mountain Music Competition based in Canada and the Tiziano Rossetti International Music Competition based in Switzerland. In addition, David is the second prize winner of the London Classical Music Competition, and the Marker & Pioneer International Music Competition based in California. David received the Marcella Kochańska Sembrich International Award given by the American Council for Polish Culture as the runner up and was the third prize winner of the Odin International Music Competition given by the European Arts Association based in Ireland. David was awarded third prize in the Da Capo International Music Competition based in Romania, and the International Music Association Gloria Artis Competition based in Vienna. He is also the recipient of a grant given by the Polish American Arts Associations of Washington D.C.