Bio

David Gladstein is a passionate music educator and multifaceted performer based in Connecticut. He holds a B.A. in Music with a Jazz Emphasis, a B.S. in Music Education, and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut. David currently serves as the choral and general music teacher at Windsor Locks Middle School. In the classroom, he believes in creating a boldly progressive yet responsible environment where students develop critical thinking skills through a student-centered lens.

In his time at Windsor Locks, David has completely revitalized the middle school choral program, nearly doubling student participation and community engagement. He directs the winter and spring concerts, prepares students for regional honors festivals, and helped launch the district's inaugural K-12 music festival. His general music curriculum is specifically designed to meet students where they are, blending traditional piano and guitar literacy with modern applications like digital audio production, film scoring, and the exploration of music and personal identity. He strives to build a classroom that focuses not on what the teacher wants, but on what the students need.

While teaching is his primary calling, David is also a highly active performer throughout New England. He is a trained tenor and a pianist specializing in jazz and pop music. Currently, he is the pianist for Exit 68, a high-energy wedding and event band that brings fresh life to modern pop hits and classic jazz standards. He also plays with the String of Pearls Big Band, performing 1940s and 1950s swing music. Additionally, David frequently performs as a freelance soloist and in jazz combos for weddings, cocktail hours, restaurants, and private events.

David grew up in Canton, Connecticut, where his lifelong love of music first took root, studying piano privately at the University of Hartford with Greg Babal. During his collegiate years at UConn, he performed with the university's Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and various combos. While there, he studied piano with a wide array of instructors such as Earl MacDonald, Angelina Gadeliya, and Steven Bulmer, studied voice with Rod Nelman, and studied conducting with Jamie Spillane. He also took on significant leadership roles, serving as the President of UConn's NAfME chapter and co-founding the university's Freestyle Rap Club.

Outside of the classroom, David has always been a driven learner. He spent two years singing and working as the conducting fellow for The Vernon Chorale under artistic director Ehren Brown. He has also had the opportunity to shadow and connect with various renowned educators such as Roger Emerson, Mark Singleton, Russ Hammond, Jeremy Wiggins, and John Mastroianni. These experiences, plus countless others, continue to inspire his daily work, helping him cultivate the knowledge and skills necessary to run his dream classroom while thriving as a professional musician.