David Swiss holds a Master of Music Degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Viola Performance and Music History. He has done extensive further study at the University of Oregon in Musicology and Ethnomusicology. His viola teachers include Ron Smith, David Tubergen (Ph.D., NYU), Jon DiJianni (long-time Principal Violist, New York Metropolitan Opera), and Willa Howells of the Dallas Symphony and Santa Fe Opera Orchestra.
David has performed in the New Mexico Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, Eugene Symphony, Oregon Mozart Players, Cheyenne Symphony, Pfaff Ensemble, Yaquina Chamber Orchestra and many other groups.
He also plays the medieval fiddle, the precursor of the modern bowed string instruments. He currently plays viola in the Fort Collins Symphony, Greeley Philharmonic, The Off-Trail String Trio, and plays the mandola in Mandomonium, a Fort Collins-based mandolin orchestra.
When not playing or teaching music David sells wine in Northern Colorado for Superior Brands, an independent wholesale company based in Denver. David and his wife Evelyn have one daughter, Hillary, who is an accomplished pianist and percussionist. Hillary is a freshman, studying Music History and Rhetoric at Oberlin College.
