David is a dedicated performer boldly exploring creative initiatives as a soloist by commissioning and premiering new compositions, heightening the awareness and expansion of the solo tuba repertoire as well as entertaining audiences with his ostentatious interpretations of the standard repertoire.  He is an active member of the International Tuba Euphonium Association (ITEA), and has been featured as a soloist and clinician at ITEA-sponsored regional tuba-euphonium conferences.   

 

David’s commitment to nurturing the love of music through education is apparent in his duties as professor at California State University Fullerton and Concordia University, Irvine, Cerritos College and as a music coach at a number of middle and high school music programs across the southland, and as a private instructor.  



David embarked on his musical journey in 1985 near Pittsburgh, PA, achieving degrees in music from the Eastman School of Music (B.M. ’96), University of Arizona (MM, ’00) and the University of Southern California (DMA, ’11).  His major teachers include Sam Pilafian, Daniel Perantoni, Jim Self, Norm Pearson, Cherry Beauregard and David McCollum; a list of iconic figures diverse in talent whose pedagogical ideas have helped David discover his unique sound and versatile style of playing.  Dr. Holben has performed with the Pacific, San Diego, Santa Barbara, New West and Pasadena Symphonies, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and various professional brass ensembles across the Southwestern United States. He has performed with artists such as Victor Vanacore, Jeff Tyzik, Scott Copeland, Chris Botti and Andrea Bocelli, and his solo appearances have taken him from Fresno to France, from Greensburg to the Great Lakes performing innovative programs of new music.