Dr. David Ballam, contrabass
Dr. Ballam, recently named to the faculty of the Department of Music at Auburn University, completed his DMA in Double Bass Performance at the University of Texas at Austin under the tutelage of DaXun Zhang. He also holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) in double bass performance and string pedagogy, where he studied with Peter Lloyd and DaXun Zhang. David’s past studies also include performing in master classes for noted double bassists Tim Cobb, Joseph Guastafeste, Paul Ellison, and Francois Rabbath as well as studies in violone and performance practice with Jerry Fuller.
Before relocating to Alabama, Dr. Ballam regularly performed in the Austin area with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Lyric Opera, Austin Baroque Orchestra, UT Bach Cantata Project and the Austin Singers. While living in Chicago, David also performed with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, Dupage Symphony Orchestra, Wheaton Summer Symphony, Skokie Valley Symphony, and the Music Institute of Chicago. David has appeared in recital at the University of Texas at Austin, as a guest soloist with the Northwestern University Summer Orchestra in Evanston, IL, and as a soloist on the Concerto for Double Bass & Orchestra in D major of Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf with the Austin Baroque Orchestra. Dr. Ballam is a 2006 graduate of Wheaton College (IL) Conservatory of Music, holding diplomas in both double bass performance and music education.
