About

A native of Camarillo California, David Gatchel is an up and coming artist making his path in classical music and writing.  One concert-reviewer comments, “He pulls you into those emotional places where music does what music is supposed to do.” His goal is to thoughtfully share and inspire through different mediums of expression.

David began piano studies at the early age of four and piano continues to be his primary instrument. However, he loves the diverse musical landscape. From playing Prokofiev’s 3rd Piano Concerto with a professional orchestra, to conducting the first movement of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in Mexico, to marching in the Rose Parade as a clarinetist, David has wide range of experiences. He has performed in a variety of countries including Austria, Croatia, Mexico and the United States.

As a current Bachelor of Music piano performance student at the University of Indiana, Bloomington, David has excelled with a Premier Young Artist Award, Jacob’s International Overseas Scholarship, as well as the Deans Scholarship. He currently studies with Jean Louis Haguenauer at the Jacob’s School of Music, where they tackle a broach of repertoire in the safety of a college campus. David’s past teachers include Norman Krieger, Edward Francis Jr., Barbara D’Adarrio, and Peter Yazbeck whom he is eternally grateful.

In the Fall of 2018, David had a life altering experience studying abroad through the IES Study Abroad Program. There, he fell in love again with the Viennese classics such as Haydn, Mozart and Schubert, as well as learning so much from seeing thousands of concerts (well maybe just 26!). He also worked with Martin Hughes at the piano, who influenced David’s musical perspective heavily. This semester-long experience lives with him everyday.

Gatchel is very active with music festivals and master classes including:  Dang Thai Son, Vladimir Viardo, Jerome Lowenthal, Anderson and Roe Piano Duo, Emmanuel Krasovsky, John Perry and Rebecca Penneys to name a few. He hopes to enter some local, and international piano competitions in the coming years.

An active clarinetist, David has enjoyed playing in the University of Southern California Wind Ensemble, University of Southern California Concert Orchestra, and the Indiana Jacob’s School of music Wind Ensemble. His past teachers include Karen Gatchel and David Howard.

Currently David is learning the art of vocal coaching and conducting to ultimately conduct and play piano in a synergistic combination. Stay tuned for what happens next!

David will be part of Class 2019 of Indiana University Bloomington majoring in Piano Performance and minoring in Psychology.

Outside of music, he enjoys living an active lifestyle by swimming on the IU swim club and eating obnoxiously healthy. Quote: “It’s the better way to live”.