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David sings, plays over a dozen instruments, teaches private music lessons, and conducts
workshops, most notably in harmonica.
Combining his passions for music, history, and storytelling, David has presented Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau programs since 1997. He is a master artist with the Nebraska Arts Council’s Artist in Schools/Communities Residency Program (over 30 years).
This presentation features demonstrations and stories of folk instruments such as harmonica, pennywhistle, Lakota style flute, ocarina, pan pipes, animal horn, bugle, musical saw, banjo, singing bowl, didgeridoo, and limber toys. The introduction of a new instrument every few minutes keeps this program upbeat and makes it easy to tailor for groups of any age from preschoolers to senior citizens. (30-60 minutes)
Also available through the
Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau
What is it about trains that so easily engages one’s imagination? Climb aboard with David as he shares a variety of railroad inspired songs and stories that offer peeks into the past from a wide variety of points of view. This upbeat excursion is accompanied by guitar, banjo, ukulele, harmonicas, whistles, and a sing-along or two. Songs include “Wabash Cannonball”, “John Henry”, “Wreck of the Old ‘97”, “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie”, “Freight Train”, “Rock Island Line”, and “City of New Orleans”, amongst others. (30-60 minutes)
Also available through the
Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau
In this upbeat presentation David performs folk music that existed at the time Nebraska became a state on March 1, 1867. Between tunes he discusses how these songs provide glimpses into history by telling stories of life during the 13 years before Nebraska statehood. This cheerful show works particularly well for family audiences as it has opportunities for volunteers to come up front and participate. Instruments featured are banjo, harmonica, whistles, and mountain dulcimer. (45-60 minutes)
Also available through the
Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau
These programs give hands-on experience with the harmonica OR ukulele and teach how music reflects cultural traditions and conveys them from one generation to the next. (60 minutes)
Also available through the
Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau
Within the first few minutes workshop participants will be playing actual folk songs on their very own harmonicas. A mini-harmonica workshop may be included in either “The ‘Tradition’ in Traditional Folk Music” or “Nebraska Territory Stories”.
David is also available for residencies through the Nebraska Arts Council’s Artist-in-the-Schools/Communities Residency Program.