David Atkinson
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Biography
David began studying music at the age of five in Ottawa with Hungarian-Canadian composer Gabor Finta, and grew up performing classical piano at various prestigious venues, including Parliament Hill, and the French, Slovakian, and Hungarian Embassies.In 2004, David moved to Toronto to study jazz performance at Humber College where he was selected three times for intensive workshops with visiting guest artists Dave Holland, Dave Liebman, and Dave Douglas.
David has since freelanced everywhere from orchestra pits (Mirvish Theatre‘s “Wicked”, DanCap’s “Jersey Boys” and “West Side Story”) to Roy Thomson Hall (Canadian Tenors), in a range of styles including blues (Scott McCord and the Bonafide Truth), modern jazz (The Thing Is), and world music (Os Tropies).
In 2008, David joined the silent film-inspired Keystone Theatre as music director, with whom he received the 2010 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Original Sound Design/Composition for his work on their first play “The Belle of Winnipeg”.
Last summer, David and Keystone Theatre toured Canada’s Fringe Festival circuit with their 2nd show “Last Man On Earth”, which received a number of awards and 5-star reviews.
More recently, in addition to being a music educator at The Bishop Strachan School, David appeared in Elton John’s ensemble at this year’s Fashion Cares benefit, as well as CBC Television’s “Over The Rainbow” where he acted as Assistant Music Director.
Upcoming Performances
January 24th, 25h, 26th and 27th at The Winchester Kitchen: The Sweetest Sounds - A century of song from Rodgers to Guettel. David will then be traveling with the show to New York City for a one-time performance at Birdland on February 3rd, at 5pm.
On Wednesdays Feb 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, David will be performing with Os Tropies at the Piston to celebrate the release of their debut EP, TROPICALIA!
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Press
- Links to press around the internet
Keystone Theatre
Reviews for Last Man On Earth:
Scott McCord & The Bonafide Truth
Os Tropies / Tropicalia
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Tweets
- RT @OsTropies: Thanks to Danny Alexander for the beautiful footage! http://t.co/Lxi6v30Y Week 2 @thepistonbar this Wednesday we tribute ...
- RT @OsTropies: BlogTO: "Are Os Tropies spiritual beings... visiting us from another plane to spread the sweet mysteries of the ether?" h ...Feb 08, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- RT @OsTropies: In prep for tonight's EP release at The Piston, @datkinson just went on a shopping spree w/help from the awesome folks at ...Feb 06, 13 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- 10m to my first ever performance in NYC at @birdlandjazz - I'm crazy excited, nervous, and humbled to be playing here! http://t.co/cLvcr0qr
- "Trivia: Bach had more children than he had parallel fifths in his chorales." - courtesy of http://t.co/oqzfeJhf, my favourite music comic.
- Tmrw @ 2pm: one-time PWYC show of @keystonetheatre Last Man On Earth to support Burlington Student Theatre! Watch out for that pesky Minion!Nov 24, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- And how could I forget - best of luck to our final 3: @ajbridel & @daniellejwade & @stephstar25!! You guys have been absolutely sensational!
- Ready for our 2nd-last @cbcrainbow! Good working w/ you @nigeliswright & @yvieburnett - it's been a hoot of sorts, eh? http://t.co/z0yQCYyL
- As a F/T musician who experiences income highs and lows, I fully support Bill #C427! @oliviachow @pmharper @tbenskin http://t.co/7uAVKPR1Nov 03, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Why oh why did I get involved in this. RT @ITVSprstarBand: @violynnkuo @nigeliswright http://t.co/JQvJSQfO
- @colleenosaurus3 Didn't get a chance to say goodbye/congrats today! Now there's 2 things I'll miss about Wpg! (Looking at you, #wpgfringe!)
- @casshodgins @jessieleith How's life post OtR? It was great working with you guys, and I hope it won't be too long until the next time.
- Haven't been tweeting lately... My life has been consumed by playing on @cbcrainbow and getting over the ensuing weekly tragedy each Monday.
- Gig of a lifetime: I got to share the stage and perform w/, among others, Janelle Monae, Chantal Kreviazuk, and Elton John!!!! #fashioncares
- Wow... 15m til @keystonetheatre 's last performance of Last Man On Earth. What a tour it's been! #yegfringe #yycFringe #wpgFringe #fringemtl
- RT @edmontonfringe: Fringe Holdovers open tonight at the Westbury Theatre - The Last Man on Earth at 7:30PM and LOON at 9:30PM. http://t ...
- Who says #yegfringe is over? Awesome holdovers this week including @sisterwivez @wonderheads @christinelesiak & of course @keystonetheatre!
- Totally floored by @surrealtheatre 's shockingly good Afterlives. Sublime performances by all of you, Bravo!! Who designed sound? #yegfringe
- Immensely grateful for your kind words, thank you! RT @lizonstage: At the Fringe: bits and pieces http://t.co/R4fcJ6Nm via @edmontonjournal
