Get to Know our New Choir Director and Music Teacher, David Conley

David Conley brings his immense passion and joy for teaching to the classroom as our newest Conservatory Arts Program (CAP) faculty member. As Marymount’s new Choir Director and Music Theory teacher, David has a love for all things choral and an impressive resume to boot. David is thrilled to be joining Marymount this year and to have the opportunity to share his love for music with our students. He sat down with us earlier this year to share a little about himself.

(MHS) David, tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from?
 
(DC) I was born in Miami, FL but moved all around the country as a young child because my dad was in the military. My family eventually settled in Peachtree City, GA, and I spent most of my life there. This is actually the first time I’ve lived on the west coast – I just recently moved to Los Angeles from Princeton, NJ where I attended graduate school at Westminster Choir College.
 
We hear you compose music as well, can you tell us a little about that?
 
Sure, I was the composer for the Fuerta Dance Company’s Film Series, “En La Mente,” which was released earlier this summer. And I also composed the music for the documentary “Forgotten Plague.” I’m currently scoring the music for the Coqui Pictures documentary, “Set Them Free” which is being released in 2017. Music is my passion – composing, singing, and producing – it’s what I live to do, and most importantly, love to do.
 
You lead the choir and teach music theory here at Marymount, and you are a very accomplished musician in your own right. What inspired you to teach music tohigh schoolers?
 
It’s funny because I would never have discovered my passion for music if it weren’t for my Choir Director in high school. I attended a small Catholic private school in GA, where our Theology teacher put together a choir during lunch to sing the music of Taize, France. He had no formal musical training or background, he simply loved the music and knew it would be an excellent tool for creativity, mindfulness and learning.
 
His passion for teaching music inspired me to help students see the same beauty that he saw, a beauty that I myself have grown to love.
 
Choir is a place to learn about history, humanity, Theology, and community. I couldn’t imagine making music without teaching it as well. I am so grateful for the opportunity to make music with the incredibly talented students at Marymount.
 
Do you have a tradition or piece of curriculum that you are particularly excited to introduce to
your classroom?
 
I have always explored and taught students through means of improvisation. It is a wonderful way for students to get creative and to express themselves while practicing being grounding in the foundational concepts of music.
 
I am also excited to teach students about the anatomy and functionality of the human voice, an area I focused on in my graduate studies at Westminster Choir College. I’m really looking forward to teaching students both how to improvise within the context of choir and to improve their vocal technique and understanding. The talent that the girls here have is absolutely outstanding. I am often taken aback by how rich their voices are and how capable they are to push themselves further than they even knew was possible.
 
Do you have any advice for students looking to explore the performing arts in high school and
beyond?
 
The most important thing you can do to pursue your art is to explore it. Sing in choirs, play in bands, jam with friends, paint your feelings, write a song, attend a concert, listen to new music, watch a play, act, dance…pursue any creative endeavor you are interested in! I would advise saying “yes” to creative opportunities big and small, and to go with your gut feelings, as they will guide you towards your true passions – whatever that may be. 
 
If you had to choose a soundtrack for the movie of your life, what 3 artists would definitely be
on it?
 
Kishi Bashi, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Johnny Cash. I love many different types of music, so these three diverse, yet equally awe-inspiring artists, would make up a well-rounded playlist for my life!
 
You’re new to Los Angeles. What’s your favorite thing about the city so far? What’s on your LA bucket list?
 
So far, I’ve loved the diversity of art in LA. There is so much creative work going on at once, and so many new performances, exhibitions, and events to check out. I’ve been exploring the city and I can’t wait to do more of that during my free time.
 
Tell us one weird thing about you that we would never know otherwise.
 
Given my generally peaceful demeanor, it might surprise people to know that I played rugby throughout my first two years of college. Unfortunately, my athletic “career” was cut short by knee surgery.
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