As a musical director, pianist, composer and educator, David has been at the forefront of the industry in Australia for almost 30 years. Classically trained, he achieved early success as a national finalist in the ABC Young Performers’ Award performing with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, until he found a home in musical theatre.
David has been Musical Director for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (GFO/Crossroads), Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical (The Star Gold Coast). He has also been Musical Director for the acclaimed national tour of Chess (Storeyboard). He was also Musical Director for The Production Company on Chess (Green Room Award nomination), and The Boyfriend, for the original Australian tour of The Boy From Oz, for the Gold Coast Arts Centre on Jesus Christ Superstar, Miss Saigon and Mary Poppins, and for Playking and National Theatre of China on Cho Cho. He worked for VCA as Music Director for Company and A Chorus Line. He has been Associate Musical Director for Fiddler On The Roof, (Lawson), Once, (MTC/GFO), Legally Blonde The Musical (Ambassador) Mary Poppins (Disney/Cameron Mackintosh), Wicked, (GFO) and Annie (GFO). He has been Assistant Musical Director for Hugh Jackman The Boy From Oz Arena, (Gannon/Fox), Mamma Mia, (Dainty) We Will Rock You (Michael Koppel), Miss Saigon (Louise Withers and Assoc), Crazy For You (GFO) and Into The Woods.
As a repetiteur/vocal coach and pianist he has worked on Priscilla Queen of the Desert, (Cassell), My Fair Lady, (Opera Australia), Aladdin (Disney), Strictly Ballroom (Bazmark), Sunset Boulevard, Oklahoma!, Call Me Madam (The Production Company), Aspects of Love (Really Useful Group), West Side Story (VSO), Scrooge the Musical, The Pirates of Penzance (EssGee), Carmen Jones, Chicago (IMG), Show Boat and for the ABC with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. He worked as vocal coach to The Croc Men (Australia Zoo) – DVD released. He has also worked as Musical Director for Magnormos Productions and for Federation University Performing Arts Faculty on Spring Awakening, and A Bunch Of Ratbags.
He has written music for P.E. The Musical (Malthouse) and Alice Through A Looking Glass Darkly (Phoenix Theatre). He has been a faculty member of the Bachelor of Music Theatre Course at AIM and works casually at VCA, APO Arts Academy and Associated Studios Australia.
David Piper is a graduate of the University of Sydney (Bachelor of Music).
