David H. Bryant
Master Teacher-In-Residence

David H. Bryant began musical studies at the age of four. He apprenticed with Dorothy Morton, a student of Moritz Moskowski and Constantin von Sternberg, founders of the Philadelphia Musical Academy—now University of the Arts. David began playing the organ for weekly church services at the age of twelve. During high school, he composed several Masses and other choral works for use in the Catholic Church and performed them with his own vocal ensemble, Musica Sacra. David and his choir were given a Papal Blessing by Pope John Paul II in recognition of his musical work with the Catholic Church.

David received his bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Temple University, with three master’s degrees: Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy, and Musicology. David also graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland, where he studied piano, organ and composition, and which he attended under the auspices of the International Rotary Foundation’s Ambassadorial Scholarship Program. David completed a PhD in Musicology and Composition at the University of Wolverhampton, England. Also at Wolverhampton, he fulfilled a one-year engagement as Senior Lecturer in Music Theatre.

David is very involved with Rotary International and was made a Paul Harris Fellow for his charitable work with the foundation. He has given hundreds of concerts and recitals throughout the United States and England. His original scores are published by Warner Brothers, Alfred, Columbia Pictures, Lorenz, Monarch Music, Gregorian Institute of America, Birdsong, and Shawnee Press. Critics hailed his recording of Harold Boatrite’s formidable Piano Sonata for Albany Records as, “a superb blend of technic, musicality and inspiration…” (Philadelphia Inquirer).

David’s works have been performed all over the world, including a command performance for President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1994. Currently, David serves as the Director of Music at First United Methodist Church in Phoenixville, PA. He oversees the American Chestnut Music Group, an organization dedicated to bringing musical excellence to at-risk church congregations and other disadvantaged populations.

David has worked closely with many illustrious composers, including Soulima Stravinsky, Lucas Foss, Harold Boatrite, Fred Bock, Sir Jonathan Willcocks, Sir Peter Ledger, and Sir John Rutter. Sir John has described David as, “hero and poet of the piano.”  David’s latest works, Seven Last Words from the Cross and the experimental virtual opera SOMA, were premiered in 2017, both in the UK.

He has two sons, Noah and Nathanael, and two cats, Little Bear and Huxley, and lives in Phoenixville. He is delighted to be working with Sarah and Tim Austen of Crescendo Music Academy.

You can find other works by David Bryant on his YouTube channel.

David is offering piano tuning services to Crescendo clients. To learn more, please follow the link below.

*David will accept new students only by referral from Sarah, and pending an interview and audition.