David Kelso received his education at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and Florida State University, earning degrees in Music Education and Music Therapy. David has had a multi-faceted career as an actor and singer. He played Old Deuteronomy in the European tour of Cats and has appeared in regional houses as the title role in Sweeney Todd, Albin/Zaza in La cage aux folles, Juan Peron in Evita, and leading roles in 110 in the Shade, Oklahoma!, Forum, South Pacific and Drood! A versatile actor, David has performed widely contrasting dramatic roles from the comedy Greater Tuna and to Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men. He has survived both touring and summer stock. Throughout his career, his reviews have universally praised the beauty of his voice, dramatic abilities, and comic timing.
As an operatic performer he received grants and scholarships from the Lauritz Mechior Heldentenor Foundation, New York Wagner Society and the American Center for Musical Arts. He sang both Siegmund and Siegfried in the Mexico City Ring Cycle. Reviews proclaimed him a singer of "...international quality..." and praised his characterization. As a soloist his recent oratorio appearances include Bach's Magnificat, Handel's Messiah, Of Rage and Remembrance by Corigliano and the Seven Last Words of Christ by Dubois.
David is currently a vocal instructor for CAP 21 (Collaborative Arts Projects for the 21st Century) in New York City. He also conducts master classes including specific classes on body based breath support as well as maintaining a private studio. His students have performed on Broadway in The Producers, Hairspray, Les Miserables, Hair and Legally Blonde and the tours of Avenue Q, Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot, Legally Blonde, Seussical, and Spring Awakening. Other students have been accepted into programs as performance majors at Northwestern University, Indiana University, Boston University, Rutgers University, Westminster Choir College Graduate School, Hunter College and Queens College.
Proudly displaying characteristics of both his New England family ties and his collegiate years in America's Deep South, David revels in breaking every possible stereotype. A native of the state of Delaware, he enjoys the seashore at every available opportunity.
